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wentietb Century 
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No. 13. 



September, 1990. 



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Shakespeare's 

Julius 
Caesar 



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THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 
AND SCHOOL READINGS 

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF 

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Julius CLesar 



TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS AND SCHOOL READINGS 



SHAKESPEARE'S 

JULIUS (LESAK 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 



BY 



MARGARET HILL McCARTER, 

Formerly Teacher of English and American Literature, 
Topeka High School. 



Crane & Company, Publishers 

Topeka, Kansas 

1900 



54665 

i ibrnry of Con«r«» 

OCT 1 1900 

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SECOND COPY. 

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Copyrighted by 

Crane & Company, Topeka, Kansas 

1900 



INTKODUCTION TO JULIUS OESAR. 

It is not definitely known when the play of Julius 
( Jaesar was written. In giving it a date, critics vary from 
1 001 to 1007. It was published in the folio of 1623. For 
sources of material the author seems to have depended 
almost entirely upon Plutarch. In style and power of 
characterization it is one of the greatest plays in Shake- 
speare's historical system of dramas, and is evidently the 
product of the mature play-writer rather than the crude 
efforts of the beginner. In the choice and development 
of the subject-matter there is a philosophic insight and 
literary fineness worthy of this greatest master of dramatic 
art. For its careful study it will be well to consider, first, 
the historical basis ; and second, a literary analysis of the 
drama. 

I. Historical Basis of the Play. 

''There never was a good which was not purchased by the sac- 
rifice of some inferior good. The evil enters when the greater 
good is put aside for the lesser." 

That conflict in history which furnishes a basis for the 
play of Julius Caesar must always be interesting because 
of the magnitude of the political issues involved, and be- 
cause of the strong personality of the men controlling and 
controlled by these issues. There was first a strife be- 
tween institutions, and secondly, what is always back of 
such struggles, a clashing of individuals with opposing 
wills and antagonistic, often selfish aims. 

The tragedy, covering about two years and a half of 

(5) 



6 INTRODUCTORY 

time, begins with feasting and ends with fighting. Its' his- 
tory runs from the festival of the Lupercalia, early in the 
year 44 B. C, on to the battle of Philippi, in the autumn 
of 42 B. C. At its beginning the old Roman Republic 
had already ceased to be except in name. It died when the 
first triumvirate set up its oligarchical rule. From oli- 
garchy to monarchy was a space so quickly and so smoothly 
passed over that few men in Rome were wise enough to 
note the changing form of supreme political power. Bnt 
national institutions, like men and women, live only so 
long as they are useful, and die to subserve eventually a 
higher and better existence. To a few Roman states- 
men it was clear that Rome had passed her eras of freedom 
and glory. For her there remained now nothing outside 
of the "wealth, vice, corruption and barbarism" which 
the poet has declared to be the moral of all human tales. 
To the greater body of thinkers, however, the hope of 
reestablishing the old government still remained. And 
this hope became to them a patriotic call to duty. Tt was, 
then, let me repeat, a conflict of great political institu- 
tions, a war to the death between imperialism on the one 
hand and representative though hideously corrupt gov- 
ernment on the other. But whenever in history a mon- 
archy grows out of a democracy, progress is at the wrong 
end of the record, and the conflict can have only a tragical 
outcome. Yet beyond the monarchy must lie something 
nobler of national existence. Something better must be 
begotten of such historical tragedies, or the whole frame 
of human beliefs would be disjointed and the Almighty 
would become a mere myth. Such struggles of institutions, 
such crises in national life, mark the advancement or 



INTRODUCTORY 7 

downfall of the men whose names ring down through the 
centuries, whose title, "the great/' was bestowed in an 
awful chrism of blood and fire. Out of such strifes came 
Frederic the Great and Napoleon and Cromwell and 
George Washington and John Brown. 

In this conflict in Rome, Julius Caesar, the successful 
statesman, the shrewd diplomat, and conquering warrior, 
stands as the main representative of the new order of 
affairs about to be established upon the ruins of the old. 
That he may have been ambitious, egotistical and aggres- 
sive, matters not now. History has not to do with a man's 
wishes. She concerns herself only with what he can do. 
However great may be the unwritten record of high aspira- 
tions or of foolish vanity, it is the deed alone that remains 
imperishable. Caesar, then, was a man equal to the emer- 
gency of his time. Standing in his kingly strength with 
an incapable nation at his feet, he took the thing fate 
sent him, and "those who talked of Rome" could truly say 
"that her wide Avails encompassed but one man." 

' Over against Caesar and his imperialism is that body of 
Roman statesmen who failed utterly to read the signs of 
their times. Leaders among them were Caius Cassius and 
Marcus Brutus. Nobody denies their patriotism, but suc- 
ceeding events have shown how narrow was the scope of 
their horizon. To reestablish the old Republic was to 
them purpose large enough to justify any means, even 
the assassin's knife, for its accomplishment. That it 
could not be established, that the old order had forever 
passed away, they did not learn until at far-off Philippi 
they looked on their defeat with dying eyes. 

Out of this great historical conflict came the Roman 



8 INTRODUCTORY 

Empire that for so many centuries held both civilized and 
savage nations under the shadow of its golden eagles. By 
its cycle of triumphant centuries we know that the death 
of Csesar was not in vain. 

Now the historical drama bears a certain dignity from 
the actuality of its basis. And inasmuch as national 
aifairs are higher than individual affairs, it follows that 
a conflict of national institutions gives ground for the 
portrayal of a grander dramatic struggle than could be 
given by the recital of mere personal strifes. And no war 
of political parties, no wrangles of church and state, no 
great battles of any institutions under a government, can 
equal the dignity and importance of that strife, that 
mighty travail that marks the re-birth of a nation. All 
the past and all the future of history are bound up in 
such a conflict, and all the other nations gain or lose in 
its outcome. 

The drama with such a basis as this, coming from the 
pen of a master, becomes a piece of enduring literature. 
It combines with a consideration of great historical issues 
the warm personal side of life; the right, legitimate in the 
drama always, to look behind the act for the motive to the 
action. The opportunity of seeing men and women move 
as representative of great ideas, of stately powers, and 
world-important issues; yet men and women with plain, 
homely loves and hates, with high aspirations or selfish 
grovelings; men and women with common temptations, 
whose real greatness, whose right to inherit the earth, is 
marked after all by the degree of their power to over- 
come. 

We are now to consider a great phase of Roman History 



INTRODUCTORY 9 

as Shakespeare lias portrayed it in the play of Julius 
Csesar : to study it not as a piece of history, but of literary 
dramatic action ; to see how the actuality of the basis 
combined with the ideality of the play-writer shall lead 
us into a clearer knowledge of the value of human charac- 
ter in its flower and fruit of human thoughts and deeds. 
For a consideration of these tilings we pass to a literary 
analysis of the play. 

II. The Literary Analysis of the Play. 

"The Drama . . . portrays in the shortest space and in the 
most striking manner, the relative worth of human deeds." 

A conflict in human duties gives rise to the Drama. 
It may be internal, lying wholly in the mind of the indi- 
vidual, as in the choice of Jean Valjean to a great sacri- 
fice in Hugo's famous novel Les Miserables, or Tito 
Melema's turning from a greater to a lesser good in the 
story of Romola. Or it may be an external thing. For 
the three elements of society, the individual, the family, 
and the state, when their bounds intersect fall into strife 
with one another, and the lesser must become subordinate 
to the greater. Their gradation is clearly in the order 
above named. For without the state, the family could 
have no secure existence ; and but for the family, the 
individual would be lost. Higher and beyond these three 
is another element, which men may stand for but cannot 
control. The Spirit of Progress, God in History, Divine 
Providence, or whatever other name we choose to call it, 
matters not. This controlling Power is, and whenever the 
firm-set governments of the earth fall into conflict with 
it, the pen of History has another death-struggle to record. 



10 INTRODUCTORY 

Being Infinite, its use and hope are not always clear to 
the temporary and finite. Yet not any more to the illit- 
erate and humble backwoodsman than to him who holds 
the scepter of supreme power comes the admonition of that 
sweet old hymn, 

"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 
But trust Him for His grace." 

Now the play of Julius Caesar portrays this last and 
highest kind of conflict, wherein the Roman State and the 
Power behind all states are in mortal combat. For Rome 
was doomed, and a nobler civilization, a glorious modern 
history, was to come out of its downfall. A time when 
men would look with pity and contempt upon the follies 
and mistakes of that earlier day. 

The play divides itself into two distinct parts. The 
first, included in the first three 1 acts, is wholly in Rome, 
and sets forth the. conspiracy of the senators against Caesar, 
the struggle of the Republic against imperialism. It ends 
in the assassination of Csesar and the flight from the city 
of Brutus and Cassius and their followers. The second 
part, included in the last two acts, portrays the civil war 
in the nation, ending in the battle at Philippi ; and result- 
ing in the complete triumph of the thing for which Csesar 
died. 

In the drama three characters stand out as representative 
of three great ideas. About these are grouped the thirty- 
five <>r forty oilier persons who with greater or less bril- 
liancy form their setting as diamonds and dull gold about 
the flashing, fire-hearted opal stone. 

The first and greatest of the three is Caesar. He comes 
into the play at the zenith of his power, yet on the eve 



INTRODUCTORY 11 

of his downfall. For he is the enemy of the state, and 
as such the Republic destroys him. Yet in the end his 
cause is triumphant, and the despairing wail of Brutus, 
"O Julius Caesar, thou art mighty yet!" sounding out on 
the evening air at Philippi, is but a prophecy that history 
hastened to fulfill. Caesar stands for that which is above 
all governments. In him is represented the Spirit of 
Progress, not to be stayed by the assassin's knife. More- 
over, he does not stand alone. He is the unconscious 
embodiment of the national thought and tendency of his 
time. He saw and did for Rome the things that Rome 
most needed and wished for. If he antagonized the gov- 
ernment, he built for the governed ; therefore he was 
above and beyond the state, a universal power making his- 
tory, not serving it. His assassination was but the accidenl 
of fortune. The same thing happened to Abraham Lin- 
coln nineteen hundred years later. Yet in Abraham Lin- 
coln culminated the nineteenth century spirit of justice 
and freedom of a liberty-loving people. In him was 
shadowed forth that hatred and abhorrence of human 
slavery, not in the American nation alone, but in all 
Christian civilization. By his life and tragic death 
human souls took on a new value that never can be lost. 
So Ca?sar became the center of a terrible tragedy, and 
died that he might live a type of greatness evermore. 

Second in ability to Caesar in the great trio of charac- 
ters is Cassius, of whom Ca?sar gives a very proper esti- 
mate. 

" He reads much ; 

He is a great observer, and he looks 

Quite through the deeds of men." 

Tn tin's eonflict Cassius is clearly the representative of 



12 INTRODUCTORY 

the state. In patriotic confidence of belief he is the bearer 
of the principle of democratic rule. That this principle 
rested in powerful hands, a study of his qualities will 
show. Of all the statesmen in Rome, he saw most truly 
the real elevation of Caesar to kingly power and place. 

" Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 
Like a Colossus," 

he says in impatience to Brutus, who lacks his eyes to 
see with. We must regard Cassius, then, as the mighty 
foe of Caesar, since he stands for the element that antag- 
onized and destroyed Caesar; yet the element over which 
the Caesarian idea should finally triumph. 

Cassius was a man of keen intellectual insight. He 
could "look quite through the deeds of men," and he knew 
the weakness and assailable sides of human character. 
With political shrewdness he chose Brutus to be leader of 
the anti-Caesarian movement, not because of Brutus' in- 
tellectual power, but for the prestige of Brutus' name. 
With utmost tact he manages this man. With plain and 
simple reasoning, permeated with patriotism and seasoned 
with flattery, lie finds Brutus the loyal supporter of Caesar , 
and he leaves him the head and front of a conspiracy 
to murder Caesar. Yet Brutus was no weakling, but a 
man nobly born, whose name was magical in Rome for its 
wide influence. The greater, then, the compliment to 
Cassius' power that lie could persuade such a man. 

But Cassius used no flattery with Casca. He knew bet- 
ter. Casca is the villain of the play, the great rascally 
coward who could stab a man in I he daytime 1 , but who 
shivered with fear in the night and storm. In him Cassius 
found a necessary tool, and he won him to the conspiracy 
through the superstitious side of his nature. 



IN TRODUCTOll Y 13 

To patriotism, fine intellectuality and a power over 
i) icn must be added one more mark of superiority in 
( !assms. Living in an age of superstition, he was yet 
above the beliefs of augury. 

" The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 
But in ourselves, that we are underlings." 

So he declares while trying to make clear to Brutus the 
condition of affairs in Rome. 

Turning now to the other side of this man's character, 
we shall find in it serious defects. lie used his power 
over men to their downfall. He is a deceiver and a flat- 
terer. By his well-turned phrases and letters writ "in 
several hands," poor Brutus is deluded. He takes Casca 
on the weak side of his nature, assuming for his purpose a 
superstitious belief he scorns to hold. He is not above 
taking bribes ; and last and altogether worst, he deliber- 
ately plans for the murder of a fellow-citizen, one toward 
whom he wore the guise of friendship. In the light of 
these defects, how shall we reconcile his claims to great- 
ness ? It can be done in but one way. The highest aim of 
Cassius is to serve his state. In his make-up the moral 
element is entirely subservient to the intellectual. He 
may gain men by questionable means, but he uses them 
only for the good of the Republic. If he winks at bribery, 
it is that this cause dearest to his soul may prosper. 
Lastly, if he connives at murder, it is only that he may 
save the life of the Republic, whose needs and privileges 
are above all individual rights. And what virtue can be 
above patriotism? History lias no grander heroes than 
the men who have fought and died for their country. 



14 INTRODUCTORY 

"And how can man die better, 
Than by facing fearful odds 
For the ashes of his fathers 
And the temples of his gods ? " 

In times of peace there were no finer character than 
that of Cassins. And if he sought by disreputable methods 
to save the state from disruption, he did no more than 
great generals have done in all wars. The pistol of the 
assassin turned against a fellow-man makes us shiver with 
abhorrence, while the rapid-firing gun, mowing down a 
national enemy, gives us a thrill of pride and approval. 
Such are the differences of conditions. And the evil lies 
in failing to see wherein the lesser good must be subordi- 
nate to the greater. So far as his honest judgment carried 
him, Cassius did well. But the old Roman state was to 
fall, and he must fall with it, since he is its great repre- 
sentative. 

The last of the three great characters is Brutus. Tie 
is the representative of the moral element in the play, 
and whoever writes of him takes up his pen lovingly. 
For Brutus is a thoroughly good man. In simple integ- 
rity of heart he walked steadfastly in the way of duty. 
His gentleness and kindness appeal to the warm heart of 
humanity in its yearning after affection. In public life he 
seems a typical political hero. Living in a most corrupt 
age, he bore always "clean hands and a pure heart." As 
a private citizen his name is no less honorable. 

" It sufficeth that Brutus leads me on," the words of 
Ligarius, voiced the common sentiment of Home. 

Even toward his inferiors his acts were marked by that 
kindness which is (lie I rue index of a noble man. When 



INTRODUCTORY 15 

lie finds Lucius fast asleep, instead of waiting to serve 

his master he gently says: 

"It is no matter ; 
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber : 
Thou hast no figures and no fantasies 
Which busy care draws from the brains of men." 

But perhaps the crowning glory of Brutus, that which 
makes in his life a luminous beauty, is shown in the rela- 
tion of husband. When Portia calls herself unworthy 
because he has not confided in her his greatest care, what 
a depth of tender love is in his reply: 

" You are my true and honorable wife, 
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
That visit my sad heart." 

In all the ordinary phases of life Brutus is the truly 
great man ; and when we think only of the earnestness of 
his motives, the purity of his character, and his abiding 
loyalty to conscience, we are ready to say with Mark An- 
tony, 

"This was the noblest Roman of them all." 

What, then, are the limitations to this man % First, 
although so widely acquainted with all the affairs of state, 
Brutus failed utterly to see the real place that Ca-sar held 
in Borne. It took the skill of Cassius to convince him of 
the true situation. He was living in the heart of a terrible 
revolution without knowing of its existence. 

The second limitation of this moral hero lay in his 
mistaken notion of his power as a leader. In a time of 
political earthquake he took upon himself a leadership 
that only the wisest statesman dare assume. He turns 
against Caesar, his personal friend, and deliberately pre- 
pares to assist at his murder. ISTote now the argument by 



1 6 INTRODUCTORY 

which he persuades himself to do it. It is not for what 
( !sesar is, he says, hut for what he may become, that he 
must suffer death. He even declares: 

" I know no personal cause to spurn at him, 
But for the general. He would be crowned ; — 
How that might change his nature, there 's the question." 

Note further in his reasoning the declaration that — 

" Since the quarrel 
Will bear no colour for the thing he is, 
Fashion it thus." 

In other words, failing to find in Caesar any crime, one 
must be invented for him. And even in his funeral speech 
his only excuse to the listening crowd is that — 

"As he was ambitious, I slew him." 

Yet this man is a type of highest morality, and genera- 
tions of scholars have worshipped his memory. But 
Shakespeare did not do it. Indeed, what can be said <>f 
that man's judgment who can assassinate his dearest 
friend for what he may do? How shall we estimate 
his insight ? His ability to lead men on in the nation's 
crucial hour ? For men must be condemned, not for possi- 
bility, but for fact of action. 

From first to last the career of Brutus, who became 
at once the ruling spirit of the conspiracy, was marked 
by those rational limitations that eventually brought ship- 
wreck to the cause of the state. The shutting out of Cicero 
from the council; the sparing of Mark Antony, and per- 
mit! ing liiiu to speak at (Vsar's funeral; in the quarrel 
witli rassius, in the plan of action at Philippi, — the 
blunders lay all with Brutus. Poor Brutus! who could 



INTRODUCTORY 17 

not take bribes from the Sardinians, but who could slaugh- 
ter Caesar for conscience' sake. His heart was warm and 
brave and true. But the ability to comprehend any gra- 
dation of ethical duties he had not. What, then, would the 
poet teach ? That the character of Brutus as a private 
citizen in times of peace, is beautiful. But in the great 
crises of life the men who are to be the leaders of the 
thought of the world, the commanding minds, the guiding 
powers, must be something more than conscientious. 
Underneath integrity of heart and loyalty to conscience 
must be broad and sure the foundation of a strong and 
active intellect; men of evenly developed minds there 
must be, whose hands work out the brain's rational 
thought and the heart's honest conviction. 

One or two side-lights upon the play we must notice. 
First, that the superstitious element is everywhere present: 
the beast without a heart, the lion against the Capitol, the 
strange, ominous dreams, the ghost of Ca?sar, — all display 
this same superstitious phase that was part and parcel of 
that time. 

Again, the family element as portrayed in Calpurnia 
and Portia forms a light about the two men, Ca?sar and 
Brutus, by which their characters are more distinctly 
outlined. 

And lastly, the power to talk well, the force of oratory, 

showing how a rollicking good fellow like Antony, whose 

greatest virtue lay in the fact that he loved his friends, 

might by a single speech sway the affairs of the whole 

nation. For Antony is but a second-rate character in this 

drama. Yet, "that which opposes the course of a river 

and turns its whole current, making it seek and follow 
—2 



18 INTRODUCTORY 

a new channel, must be taken account." There came to 
Antony, by accident seemingly, a rare moment of life 
when the opportunity of turning a mighty tide of public 
opinion hung on the force of well-chosen words, backed by 
simple truth. He embraced this opportunity, and all sub- 
sequent history changed front. Although in no sense a 
statesman, yet the ability to see clearly the situation, and 
the power to cope with it, belonged to Antony. When 
will educators learn to appreciate the usefulness as well 
as the danger of this powerful gift of oratory? 

In the play of Julius Caesar there are three culminating 
points. The first is on the Lupercalian feast day, when 
Csesar and imperialism are supreme; when the career 
of the 

"Noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times" 

was at the very top of its power. The second is on 
the Ides of March, when the conspiracy of the Re- 
public, controlled by Brutus and Cassius, culminates in 
the destruction of Ca?sar. The third is on the battlefield 
at Philippi. By that battle the civil strife of Rome 
is ended. Cassius and Brutus go down to ignominious 
defeat and death ; the gates of the Janus-guarded temple 
swing in ; and the principle for which Ca?sar died rises up 
I I'iumphant. 

The drama portrays "the relative worth of human 
deeds." In the great play of Julius Csesar the deeds of 
three men are brought into fine contrast with one another. 
Each man was sincere in believing that he held for his 
country its highest good. The weakest of the three is 
Brutus. The drama proves how feebly put are the deeds 



INTRODUCTORY 19 

of that man, however honest, who does not back his con- 
scientious devotion with clear insight and good judgment. 
Greater than Brutus in public affairs is Cassius, whose 
patriotism shines out above a dark and uncertain morality 
of action. The highest of the three, of the worth of whoso 
deeds all subsequent history is a monument, has fitly given 

to the play its name. 

MARGARET HILL McGARTER. 

Topeka, Kansas, September, 1900. 



Julius CLesar 



(21) 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 



Julius Cesar. 



Ootavius Cesar, \ . . _ , 

f Triumvirs, after the death 

Marous Antonius, > T ' ~ 

\ of Julius Csesar. 



M. iEMILIUS Lepidus, 
ClOERO, 



Conspirators against Julius 
Csesar. 



Tribunes. 



Publius, > Senators 

Popilius Lena, ) 

Marous Brutus, 

Cassius 

Casca, 

Trebonius, 

LlGARIUS, 

Decius Brutus, 

Metellus Cimber, 

ClNNA, 

Flavius, 

Marullus, 

Artemidorus, a Sophist of Cnidos 
A Soothsayer. 
Cinna, a Poet. 
Another Poet. 

Lucilius, 

Titinius 

Messala, 

Young Oato, 

volumnius, 

Varro, 

Clitus, 

Claudius, 

Strato, 

Lucius, 

Dardantus, 

Pindarus, Servant to Cassius. 
Calpurnia, Wife to Caesar. 
Portia, Wife to Brutus. 

Senators, Citizens, Guards, Attendants, etc. 

Scene : During a great part of the Play, at Rome ; afterwards, at 
Sardis, and near Philippi. 



Friends to Brutus and Cas- 
sius. 



► Servants to Brutus. 



(22) 



ACT I. 

Scene I. Rome. A Street. 

Enter Flavius, Marullus, mid a rabble of Citizens. 

Flavins. Hence ! home, you idle creatures, get you home. 
Is this a holiday ? What ! know you not, 
Being mechanical, you ought not walk 
Upon a labouring day without the sign 
Of your profession ? — Speak, what trade art thou ? 

1 Citizen. Why, sir, a carpenter. 

Marullus. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule ? 
What dost thou with thy best apparel on? — 
You, sir ; what trade are you ? 

2 Citizen. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I 
am but, as you would say, a cobbler. 10 

Marullus. But what trade art thou? Answer me di- 
rectly. 

2 Citizen. A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a 
safe conscience; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad 
soles. 

Marullus. What trade, thou knave ? thou naughty knave, 
what trade ? 

2 Citizen. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me ; 
yet if you be out, sir, I can mend you. 

Marullus. What mean'st thou by that ? Mend me, thou 
saucy fellow ? 

2 Citizen. Why, sir, cobble you. 20 

Flavins. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? 

(23) 



24 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

2 Citizen. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl. 

I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's mat- 
ters : but withal I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes ; 
when they are in great danger, I recover them. As proper 
men as ever trod upon neat's leather have gone upon my 
handiwork. 

Flavins. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day ? 
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets ? 

2 Citizen. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get 
myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday 
to see Caesar, and to rejoice in his triumph. 

Marullus. Wherefore rejoice ? What conquest brings 
he home ? 

What tributaries follow him to Rome, 
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels ? 
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things ! 
O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, 
Knew you not Pompey ? Many a time and oft 
Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, 
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops, 
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat 4r> 

The livelong day, with patient expectation, 
To sec great Pompey pass the streets of Rome; 
And, when you saw his chariot but appear, 

I I a ve you not made an universal shout, 
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks, 
To hear the replication of your sounds 
Made in her concave shores ? 

And do you now put on your best attire? 

And do yon now cull out a holiday? 

And do von now strew flowers in his way 50 



JULIUS CAESAR 25 

That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood ? 
Be gone ! 

Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, 
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague 
That needs must light on this ingratitude. 

Flivius. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for tin's fault, 
Assemble all the poor men of your sort; 
Draw them to Tiber banks, and Aveep your tears 
Into the channel, till the lowest stream 
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. — [Ex. Citizens. co 
See whether their basest metal be not mov'd ! 
They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. 
Go you down that way towards the Capitol ; 
This way will I. Disrobe the images, 
If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. 

Marullus. May we do so ? 
You know it is the feast of Lupercal. 

Flavins. It is no matter; let no images 
Be hung with Csesar's trophies. I '11 about, 
And drive away the vulgar from the streets; 70 

So do you too, where you perceive them thick. 
These growing feathers pluck'd from Caesar's wing 
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, 
Who else would soar above the view of men, 
And keep us all in servile fearf illness. [Exeunt. 

Scene II. A Public Place. 
Enter, in procession with Music, Caesar; Antony, for 
the course; Calpurnia, Portia, Decius, Cicero, 
Brutus, Cassius, and Casca, a great crowd following, 
among them a Soothsayer. 
Caesar. Calpurnia! 



26 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Casca. Peace, ho ! Caesar speaks. [Music ceases. 

Caesar. Calpurnia! 

Calpurnia. Here, my lord. 

Caesar. Stand you directly in Antonius' way 
When he doth run his course. — Antonius ! 

Antony. Caesar, my lord ! 

Caesar. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, 
To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, 
The barren, touched in this holy chase, 
Shake off their sterile curse. 

Antony. I shall remember; 

When Caesar says 'Do this,' it is performed. 10 

Caesar. Set on, and leave no ceremony out. [Music. 

Soothsayer. Ca>sar! 

Caesar. 1 1 a ! who calls ? 

Casca. Bid every noise be still. — Peace yet again ! 

[Music ceases. 

Caesar. Who is it in the press that calls on me ? 
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, 
Cry, Caesar. Speak ; Caesar is turned to hear. 

Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. 17 

Caesar. What man is thai ? 

Brutus. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. 

Caesar. Set him before me; let me see his face. 1!> 

Cassius. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon 
Caesar. 

Caesar. What say'st thou to me now ? Speak once again. 

Soothsayer. Beware the ides of March. 

Caesar. He is a dreamer; let us leave him: — pass. 

| Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. 



JULIUS OESAR 27 

Cassius. Will vou e;o see the order of the course \ 

Brutus. Not I. 

Cassius. I pray you, do. 

Brutus. I am not gamesome ; I do lack some part 
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. 
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires ; 
I '11 leave you. 

Cassius. Brutus, I do observe you now of late : 

I have not from your eyes that gentleness 
And show of love as I was wont to have ; 
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand 
Over your friend that loves you. 

Brutus. Cassius, 

Be not deceiv'd; if I have veil'd my look, 
I turn the trouble of my countenance 
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am 
Of late with passions of some difference, 
Conceptions only proper to myself, 
Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours; 
But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd, — 40 
Among which number, Cassius, be you one, — 
Nor construe any further my neglect 
Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, 
Forgets the shows of love to other men. 

Cassius. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your pas- 
sion ; 
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried 
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. 
Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face ? 

Brutus. No, Cassius ; for the eye sees not itself 
But by reflection by some other things. 



28 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Cassius. 'T is just ; 50 

And it is very much lamented, Brutus, 
That you have no such mirrors as will turn 
Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 
That you might see your shadow. I have heard, 
Where many of the best respect in Rome, 
Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus, 
And groaning underneath this age's yoke, 
Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. 

Brutus. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, 
That you would have me seek into myself 60 

For that which is not in me ? 

Cassius. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear; 
And, since you know you cannot see yourself 
So well as by reflection, I your glass 
Will modestly discover to yourself 
That of yourself which you yet know not of. 
And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus : 
Were I a common laugher, or did use 
To stale with ordinary oaths my love 

To every new protester ; if you know 70 

That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, 
And after scandal them; or if you know 
That I profess myself in banqueting 
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. 

[Flourish and shout. 

Brutus. What means this shouting? I do fear the 
people 
Choose Caesar for their king 1 . 

Cassius. Ay, do you fear it ? 

Then must I think you would not have it so. 



JULIUS C/ESAR 29 

Brutus. I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.— 
But wherefore do you hold me here so long ? 
What is it that you would impart to me ? 
If it be aught toward the general good, 
Set honour in one eye, and death i' the other, 
And I will look on both indifferently; 
For let the gods so speed me as I love 
The name of honour more than I fear death. 

Cassius. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 
As well as I do know your outward favour. 
Well, honour is the subject of my story — 
I cannot tell what you and other men 
Think of this life, but, for my single self, 
I had as lief not be as live to be 
In awe of such a thing as I myself. 
I was bom free as Caesar, so were you; 
We both have fed as well, and we can both 
Endure the winter's cold as well as he. 
For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, 
Caesar said to me, ' Dar'st thou, Cassius, now 
Leap in with me into this angry flood, 
And swim to yonder point V Upon the word, 
Accoutred as I was, I plunged in, 
And bade him follow; so, indeed, he did. 
The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it 
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside 
And stemming it with hearts of controversy. 
But ere we could arrive the point propos'd, 
Caesar cried, 'Help me, Cassius, or I sink.' 
I, as .Eneas, our great ancestor, 



inn 



30 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 

The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber 

Did I the tired Csesar. And this man 

Is now become a god ; and Cassius is 

A wretched creature, and must bend his body 

If Ca?sar carelessly but nod on him. 

He had a fever when he was in Spain, 

And when the fit was on him I did mark 

How did he shake : 't is true, this god did shake ; 

His coward lips did from their colour fly, 

And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world 

Did lose his lustre. I did hear him groan; 

Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans 

Mark him and write his speeches in their books, 

Alas ! it cried, 'Give me some drink, Titinius,' 

As a sick girl. — Ye gods, it doth amaze me, 

A man of such a feeble temper should 

So get the start of the majestic world, 

And bear the palm alone. [Shout. Flourish. 

Brutus. Another general shout ! 
I do believe that these applauses are 
For some new honours that are heap'd on Caesar. 130 

Cassius. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 
Like a Colossus, and we petty men 
Walk under his huge legs and peep about ' 
To find ourselves dishonourable graves. 
Men at some time are masters of their fates; 
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 
But in ourselves, that we are underlings. 
Brutus and Csesar: what should be in that Caesar? 
Why should that name be sounded more than yours? 



JULIUS OESAK 31 

Write them together, yours is as fair a name ; 

Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well ; 

Weigh them, it is as heavy; conjure with 'em, 

'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'Caesar.' [SkotU. 

Now, in the names of all the gods at once, 

Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, 

That he has grown so great? Age, thou art sham'd ! 

Eome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods ! 

When went there by an age, since the great flood, 

But it was f anr d with more than with one man ? 

When could they say till now that talk'd of Borne 

That her wide walls encompass' d but one man? 

Now is it Borne indeed, and room enough, 

When there is in it but one only man. 

O, you and I have heard our fathers say, 

There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd 

The eternal devil to keep his state in Borne 

As easily as a king! 

Brutus. That you clo love me, I am nothing jealous ; 
What you would work me to, I have some aim ; 
How I have thought of this, and of these times, 
I shall recount hereafter ; for this present, 
I would not, so with love I might entreat you, 
Be any further mov'cl. What you have said, 
I will consider; what you have to say, 
I will with patience hear, and find a time 
Both meet to hear and answer such high things. 
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this : 
Brutus had rather be a villager 
Than to repute himself a son of Borne 
Under these hard conditions as this time 



32 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Is like to lay upon ns. 

Cassius. 1 am glad 

That my weak words have struck but thus much show 
Of fire from Brutus. 

Enter Caesar and his train. 

Brutus. The games are done, and Ca?sar is returning. 

Cassius. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve ; 
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you 
What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. 

Brutus. I will do so. — But, look you, Cassius, 
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, 
And all the rest look like a chidden train ; 180 

( lalpiirnia's cheek is pale, and Cicero 
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes 
As avc have seen him in the Capitol, 
Being cross'd in conference by some senators. 

Cassius. Casca will tell us what the matter is. 

( 'aesar. Antonius ! 

Antony. Caesar ? 

Caesar. Let me have men about me that are fat, 
Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights: 
Vond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; 190 

lie thinks too much: such men arc dangerous. 

Antony. Fear him not, Caesar; he's not dangerous. 
He is a noble Roman and well given. 

Caesar. Would he were fatter! — But I fear him not. 
Yet it' my name were liable to fear, 
I do not know the man I should avoid 
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much ; 
He is a great observer, and he looks 



JULIUS CyESAR 33 



200 



Quite through the deeds of men: he loves no plays 
As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music: 
Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort 
As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit 
That could be mov'd to smile at any thing. 
Such men as he be never at heart's ease 
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, 
And therefore they are very dangerous. 
I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd 
Than what I fear; for always I am Caesar. 
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf, 
And tell me truly what thou think'st of him. 

[Sennet. Exeunt Caesar and his train. Casca remains. 

Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak; would you speak 
with me ? 

Brutus. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, 
That Caesar looks so sad. 

Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not ? 

Brutus. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd. 

Casca. Why, there was a crown offered him ; and, being- 
offered him, he put it by with the back of his hand, thus ; 
and then the people f ell a-shouting. 

Brutus. What was the second noise for? 

Casca. Why, for that too. 

Cassias. They shouted thrice; what was the last cry 
for? 

Casca. Why, for that too. 

Brutus. Was the crown offered him thrice? 

Casca. Ay, marry, was 't, and he put it by thrice, every 

time gentler than other; and at every putting-by mine 

honest neighbors shouted. 
—3 



34 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Cassius. Who offer' d him the crown ? 

Casca. Why, Antony. 

Brutus. Tell ns the manner of it, gentle Casca. 22 ° 

Casca. I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it ; 
it was mere foolery, I did not mark it. I saw Mark An- 
tony offer him a crown ; — yet 't Avas not a crown neither, 
't was one of these coronets ; — and, as I told yon, he put it 
by once; but, for all that, to my thinking, he would fain 
have had it. Then he offered it to him again ; then he put 
it by again; but, to my thinking, he was very loath to lay 
his fingers off it. And then he offered it the third time ; 
he put it the third time by ; and still as he refused it, the 
rabblement shouted, and clapped their chopped hands, and 
threw up their sweaty nightcaps, and uttered such a deal 
of stinking breath because Caesar refused the crown, that 
it had almost choked Caesar ; for he swooned, and fell 
down at it. And, for mine own part, I durst not laugh, 
for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air. 

Cassius. But, soft, I pray you. What! did Csesar 
swoon % 

Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and foamed 
at mouth, and was speechless. 246 

Brutus. 'T is very like; he hath the falling sickness. 

Cassius. No, Caesar hath it not; but you and I, 
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. 

Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but I am 
sure Cresar fell clown. If the tag-rag people did not clap 
hi in and hiss him, according as he pleased and displeased 
them, as they use to do the players in the theatre, I am no 
true man. 25 a 

Brutus. What said he when he came unto himself I 



JULIUS CESAR 35 

Caspa. Marry, before he fell down, when he perceived 
the common herd was glad he refused the crown, lie 
plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his throat 
to cut. — An I had been a man of any occupation, if I 
would not have taken him at a word, I would I might go 
to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. When he came 
to himself again, he said, if he had done or said anything 
amiss, he desired their worships to think it was his infir- 
mity. Three or four wenches, whore I stood, cried, 'Alas, 
good soul!' — and forgave him with all their hearts. But 
there 's no heed to be taken of them ; if Caesar had stabbed 
their mothers, they would have done no less. 2G5 

Brutus. And after that he came thus sad away ? 

Casca. Ay. 

Cassias. Did Cicero say any thing? 

Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. 

Cassius. To what effect? 27 ° 

Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I '11 ne'er look you i' 
the face again. But those that understood him smiled at 
one another and shook their heads ; but, for my own part, 
it was Greek to me. I could tell you more news too: 
Marullus and Flavius, for pulling scarfs off Caesar's im- 
ages, are put to silence. Fare you well. There was more 
foolery yet, if I could remember it. 

Cassius. Will you sup with me to-night, Casca ? 

Casca. No, I am promised forth. 

Cassius. Will you dine with me to-morrow? 280 

Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold, and your 
dinner worth the eating. 

Cassius. Good ; I will expect you. 

Casca. Do so. Farewell, both. {Exit Casca. 



3(3 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Brutus. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be ! 
He was quick mettle when he went to school. 

Cassius. So is he now, in execution 
Of any bold or noble enterprise, 
However he puts on this tardy form. 
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 
Which gives men stomach to digest his words 
With better appetite. 

Bruins. And so it is. For this time I will leave you: 
'To-morrow if you please to speak with me, 
1 will come home to you ; or, if you will, 
Come home to me, and I will wait for you. 

Cassias. I will do so; — till then, think of the world. — 

[Exit Brutus. 
Well, Brutus, thou art noble ; yet, I see, 
Thy honourable metal may be wrought 
From that it is dispos'd: therefore it is meet 
That noble minds keep ever with their likes ; 
For who so firm that cannot be sedue'd ? 
Caesar doth bear me hard, but he loves Brutus; 
If 1 were Brutus now, and he were Cassius, 
He should not humour me. I will this nigh I, 
In several hands, in at his window throw, 
As if they came from several citizens, 
Writings all lending to the great opinion 
That Rome holds of his name, wherein obscurelv 
Caesar's ambition shall be glanced at; 
And after this let Caesar seat him sure, 
For we will shake him or worse days endure. [Exit. 



you 



>10 



JULIUS C^SAR 37 

Scene III. A Street. 

Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, 
Casca, with his sword drawn, and Cicero. 

Cicero. Good even, Casca. Brought you Caesar home ? 
Why are you breathless % and why stare you so ? 

Casca. Are not you mov'd, when all the sway of earth 
Shakes like a thing unfirrn? O Cicero, 
I have seen tempests when the scolding winds 
Have rivd the knotty oaks ; and I have seen 
The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, 
To be exalted with the threatening clouds: 
But never till to-night, never till now, 
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. 10 

Kit her there is a civil strife in heaven, 
Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, 
Incenses them to send destruction. 

Cicero. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? 

Casca. A common slave — you know him well by sight — 
Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn 
Like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand, 
Not sensible of fire, remain'd unscorch'd. 
Besides — I have qo1 since put up my sword — 
Against the Capitol I met a lion, 20 

Who glar'd upon me and went surly by 
Without annoying me; and there were drawn 
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women 
Transformed with their fear, who swore they saw 
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. 
And yesterday the bird of night did sit 
Even at noonday upon the market-place, 
Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies 



38 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Do so conjointly meet, let not men say, 
These are their reasons, — they are natural ; 
For, I believe, they are portentous things 
TTnto the climate that they point upon. 

Cicero. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time ; 
But men may construe things after their fashion, 
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. 
Comes Caesar to the Capitol to-morrow? 

Casca. He doth ; for he did bid Antonius 
Send word to you he would be there to-morrow. 

Cicero. Good night, then, Casca ; this disturbed sky :>, ° 
Ts not to walk in. 

Casca. Farewell, Cicero. [Exit Cicero. 

Enter Cassius. 

Cassius. Who 's there ? 

Casca. A Koman. 

Cassius. Casca, by your voice. 

Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is tin's ! 

Cassius. A very pleasing night to honest men. 

Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? 

Cassius. Those that have known the earth so full of 
faults. 
For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, 
Submitting me unto the perilous night, 
And thus, unbraced, Casca, as you see, 
Have bar'd my bosom to the thunder-stone; 
And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open 50 

The breast of heaven, I did present myself 
Even in the aim and very flash of it. 



JULIUS CAESAR- 39 

Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the heav- 
It is the part of men to fear and tremble [ens ? 

When the most mighty gods by tokens send 
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. 

Cassius. You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life 
That should be in a Roman you do want, 
Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, 
And put on fear, and case yourself in wonder, 
To see the strange impatience of the heavens ; 
But if you would consider the true cause 
Why all these fires, Avhy all these gliding ghosts, 
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind, 
Why old men fool and children calculate, 
Why all these things change from their ordinance, 
Their natures and pre-formed faculties, 
To monstrous quality, why, you shall find 
That heaven hath infus'd them with these spirits, 
To make them instruments of fear and warning 
Unto some monstrous state. Now could I, Casca, 
Name to thee a man most like this dreadful night, 
That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 
As doth the lion in the Capitol; 
A man no mightier than thyself or me 
Tn personal action, yet prodigious grown 
And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. 

Casca. 'T is Caesar that you mean ; is it not, Cassius ? 

Cassius. Let it be who it is : for Romans now 
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors, 
But, woe the while ! our fathers' minds are dead, 
And we are governed with our mothers' spirits ; 
Our voke and sufferance show us womanish. 



40 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Casca. Indeed, they say, the senators to-morrow 
Mean to establish Caesar as a king; 
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, 
In every place, save here in Italy. 

Cassius. I know where I will wear this dagger, then ; 
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius. 
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong; 
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat. 
Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass, 
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, 
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit; 
But life, being weary of these worldly bars, 
Never lacks power to dismiss itself. 
If I know this, know all the world besides, 
That part of tyranny that I do bear 
I can shake off at pleasure. [Thunder still. 

Casca. So can I ; 

So every bondman in his own hand bears 10 ° 

The power to cancel his captivity. 

Cassius. And why should Caesar be a tyrant, then ? 
Poor man ! I know he would not be a wolf, 
But that lie sees the Romans are but sheep; 
lie were no lion, were not Romans hinds. 
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire 
Begin it with weak straws: what trash is Rome, 
What rubbish, and what offal, when it serves 
For the base matter to illuminate 

So vile a thing as Csesar! But, O grief! 110 

Where hast thou led me ? I perhaps speak this 
Before a willing bondman ; then I know 



JULIUS C^SAR 41 

My answer must be made. But I am arm'd, 
And dangers are to me indifferent. 

Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man 
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand ; 
Be factious for redress of all these griefs, 
And I will set this foot of mine as far 
As who goes farthest. 

Cassius. There 's a bargain made. 

Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already 120 

Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans 
To undergo with me an enterprise 
Of honourable-dangerous consequence ; 
And I do know by this they stay for me 
Tn Pompey's porch: for now, this fearful night, 
There is no stir or walking in the streets, 
And the complexion of the element 
In favour 's like the work we have in hand, 
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. 

Enter Cinna. 
Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in 
haste. 130 

Cassius. 7 T is China; T do know him by his gait: 
He is a friend. — China, where haste you so? 

Cinna. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cim- 

ber ? 
Cassius. No, it is Casca ; one incorporate 
To our attempt. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna ? 

Cinna. I am glad on 7 t. What a fearful night is this ! 
There 's two or three of us have seen strange sights. 
Cassius. Am I not stay'd for ? Tell me. 



42 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Cinna. Yes, you are. — 

O Cassius, if you could 
But win the noble Brutus to our party! 14 ° 

Cassius. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, 
And look you lay it in the praetor's chair, 
Where Brutus may hut find it; and throw this 
In at his window ; set this up with wax 
Upon old Brutus' statue: all this done, 
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. 
Is Dccius Brutus and Trebonius there ? 

Cinna. All but Metellus Cimber ; and he 's gone 
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, 
And so bestow these papers as you bade me. 

Cassius. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre. — 

[Exit Cinna. 
Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day 
See Brutus at his house ; three parts of him 
Is ours already, and the man entire 
Upon the next encounter yields him ours. 

Casca. O, he sits high in all the people's hearts; 
And that which would appear offence in us 
His countenance, like richest alchemy, 
Will change to virtue and to worthiness. 

Cassius. Tlim and his worth and our great need of 
him • • 160 

You have right well conceited. Let us go, 
For it is after midnight, and ere day 
We will awake him and be sure of him. [Exeunt. 



ACT II. 

Scene I. Rome. Brutus' Orchard. 
Enter Brutus. 

Brutus. What, Lucius ! ho ! — 
I cannot, by the progress of the stars, 
Give guess how near to day. — Lucius, I say ! — 
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. — 
When, Lucius, when ? Awake, I say ! What, Lucius ! 

Enter Lucius. 

Lucius. Call'd you, my lord ? 

Brutus. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius; 
When it is lighted, come and call me here. 

Lucius. I will, my lord. [Exit. 

Brutus. It must be by his death; and, for my part, 10 

I know no personal cause to spurn at him, 

But for the general. lie would be crown' d ; — 

How that might change his nature, there 's the question. 

It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, 

And that craves wary walking. Crown him? — that; — 

And then, I grant, we put a sting in him, 

That at his will he may do danger with. 

The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins 

Remorse from power ; and, to speak truth of Caesar, 

I have not known when his affections sway'd 20 

More than his reason. But 't is a common proof 

That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, 

(43) 



44 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; 
But when he once attains the upmost round 
ITe then unto the ladder turns his back, 
Looks in the* clouds, scorning the base degrees 
By which he did ascend. So Csesar may. 
Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel 
Will bear no colour for the thing he is, 
Fashion it thus : that what he is, augmented, 
Would run to these and these extremities; 
And therefore think him as a serpent's egg, 
Which hatch'd would, as his kind, grow mischievous, 
And kill him in the shell. 

Enter Lucius. 

Lucius. The taper burnetii in your closet, sir. 
Searching the window for a flint, I found 
This paper thus seal'd up, and I am sure 
It did not lie there when I went to bed. , 

[Gives him the letter. 

Brutus. Get you to bed again ; it is not day. 
Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March ? 40 

Lucius. I know not, si v. 

Brutus. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. 

Lucius. I will, sir. [Exit. 

Brutus. The exhalations whizzing in the air 
Give so much light that I may read by them. 

[Opens the letter and reads. 
'Brutus, thou sleep' st; awake, and see thyself. 
Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress!' — 
"Brutus, thou sleep'st ; awake!' 
Such instigations have been often dropp'd 
Where I have took them up. 50 



JULIUS CAESAR 45 

•Shall Rome, etc' Thus must I piece it out: 

Shall Rome stand under one man's awe % What ! Rome \ 

My ancestors did from the streets of Rome 

The Tarquin drive, when he was oall'd a king. 

k Speak, strike, redress !' Am I entreated 

To speak and strike \ — O Rome ! I make thee promise, 

If the redress will follow, thou receivest 

Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus. 

Enter Lucius. 

Lucius. Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. 

[Knocking with in. 

Brutus. T is good. Go to the gate ; somebody knocks. — 

[Exit Lucius. 
Since Cassius first did whet me against Csesar 
I have not slept. 

Between the acting of a dreadful thing 
And the first motion, all the interim is 
Like a phantasma or a hideous dream; 
The genius and the mortal instruments 
Are then in council, and the state of man, 
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 
The nature of an insurrection. 

Enter Lucius. 

Lucius. Sir, 't is your brother Cassius at the door, 
Who doth desire to see you. 

Brutus. Is he alone ? 

Lucius. No, sir; there are moe with him. 

Brutus. Do you know them \ 

Lucius. No, sir ; their hats are pluck'd about their ears, 
And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 



46 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

That by no means I may discover them 
By any mark of favour. 

Brutus. Let 'em enter. — [Exit Lucius: 

They arc the faction. O Conspiracy ! 
Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night, 
When evils are most free ? O, then, by day 
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 
To mask thy monstrous visage? Seek none, Conspiracy; 
Hide it in smiles and affability ; 
For, if thou path, thy native semblance on, 
Not Erebus itself were dim enough 
To hide thee from prevention. 

Enter Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, Metellus 
Cimber, and Trebonius. 

Cassius. I think we are too bold upon your rest: 
Good morrow, Brutus ; do we trouble you ? 

Brutus. I have been up this hour, awake all night. 
Know I these men that come along with you ? 

Cassius. Yes, every man of them ; and no man here <J0 
But honors you ; and every one doth wish 
You had but that opinion of yourself 
Which every noble Roman bears of you. 
This is Trebonius. 

Brutus. He is welcome hither- 

Cassius. This, Decius Brutus. 

Brutus. He is welcome too. 

Cassius. This, Casca; this, China; and this, Metellus 
Cimber. 

Brutus. They are all welcome. — 
What watchful cares do interpose themselves 
Betwixt your eyes and night? " 



JULIUS CESAR 47 

Cassias. Shall I cut rent a word? [.They whisper. 

Dccius. Here lies the east; doth not the day break hero ? 

Casca. No. 

China. O, pardon, sir, it doth, and yon grey lines 
That fret the clouds are messengers of day. 

Casca. You shall confess that yon are both deceiv'd. 
Hero, as I point my sword, the sun arises; 
Which is a great way growing on the south, 
Weighing fche youthful season of the year. 
Some two months hence up higher toward the north 
lie first presents his fire, and the high east 110 

Stands as the Capitol, directly here. 

Brutus. Give me your hands all over, one by one. 

Gassius. And let us swear our resolution. 

Brutus. No, not an oath ! If not the face of men, 
The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse, — 
If these be motives weak, break off betimes, 
And every man hence to his idle bed; 
So let high-sighted tyranny range on, 
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, 
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough l20 

To kindle cowards, and to steel with valor 
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, 
What need we any spur but our own cause 
To prick us to redress ? what other bond 
Than secret Romans that have spoke the word, 
And will not palter \ and what other oath 
Than honestv to honesty engaged 
That this shall be, or we will fall for it ? 
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, 
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls 13 ° 



48 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

That welcome wrongs ; imto bad causes swear 

Such creatures as men doubt; but do not stain 

The even virtue of our enterprise, 

Nor the insuppressive metal of our spirits, 

To think that or our cause or our performance 

Did need an oath, when every drop of blood 

That every Roman bears, and nobly bears, 

Is guilty of a several bastardy 

If he do break the smallest particle 

Of any promise that hath pass'd from him. 14 ° 

Cassius. But what of Cicero ? Shall we sound him ? 
I think he will stand very strong with us. 

Casca. Let us not leave him out. 

Cinna. No, by no means. 

Metellus. O, let us have him, for his silver hairs 
Will purchase us a good opinion, 
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds. 
It shall be said, his judgment rul'd our hands ; 
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, 
But all be buried in his gravity. 

Brutus. O, name him not ; let us not break with him, 150 
For he will never follow any thing 
That other men begin. 

Cassius. Then leave him out. 

Casca. Indeed, he is not fit. 

Decius. Shall no man else be touch'd but only Caesar ? 

Cassius. Decius, well urg'd. — I think it is not meet 
Mark Antony, so well belov'd of Ca?sar, 
Should outlive Ca?sar. We shall find of him 
A shrewd contriver, and you know his means, 
If he improve them, may well stretch so far 



JULIUS CAESAR 49 

As to annoy us all ; which to prevent, 1G0 

Let Antony and Caesar fall together. 

Brutus. Our course will seem too bloody, Cains Cassius, 
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs 
Like wrath in death, and envy afterwards ; 
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar. 
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Cains. 
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar, 
And in the spirit of men there is no blood; 
O, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit, 
And not dismember Caesar ! But, alas, 17 ° 

Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends, 
Let 's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully ; 
Let 's carve him as a dish fit for the gods, 
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds : 
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do, 
Stir up their servants to an act of rage, 
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make 
Our purpose necessary and not envious ; 
Which so appearing to the common eyes, 
We shall be call'd purgers, not murtherers. 
And for Mark Antony, think not of him ; 
For he can do no more than Caesar's arm 
When Caesar's head is off. 

Cassius. Yet I fear him, 

For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar — 

Brutus. Alas, good Cassius, do not think of hi m: 

If he love Caesar, all that he can do 

Is to himself, — take thought and die for Caesar; 

And that were much he should, for he is given 

To sports, to wildness, and much company. 
—4 



50 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Trebonius. There is no fear in him ; let him not die ; 190 
For he will live and laugh at this hereafter. [Clock strikes. 

Brutus. Peace ! count the clock. 

Cassius. The clock hath stricken three. 

Trebonius. 'T is time to part. 

Cassius. But it is doubtful yet 

Whether Caesar will come forth to-day or no; 
For he is superstitious grown of late, 
Quite from the main opinion he held once 
Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies. 
It may be, these apparent prodigies, 
The unaccustom'd terror .of this night, 
And the persuasion of his augurers 20 ° 

May hold him from the Capitol to-day. 

Decius. Never fear that. If lie be so resolv'd, 
I can o'ersway him; for he loves to hear 
That unicorns may be betray'd with trees, 
And bears with glasses, elephants with holes, 
Lions with toils, and men with flatterers: 
But, when I tell him he hates flatterers, 
He says he does, being then most flattered. 
Let me work ; 

For I can give his humor the true bent, 21 ° 

And I will bring him to the Capitol. 

Cassius. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. 

Brutus. By the eighth hour; is that the uttermost? 

Cinna. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. 

Metellus. Cains Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard, 
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey ; 
I wonder none of you have thought of him. 

Brutus. Now, good Metellus, go along by him; 



JULIUS CAESAR 51 

He loves me well, and I have given him reasons; 
Send him but hither, and I '11 fashion him. 



220 



Cassius. The morning comes upon 's ; we '11 leave you, 
Brutus. — 
And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember 

What yon have said, and show yourselves true Romans. 

Brutus. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily. 
Let not our looks put on our purposes; 
But bear it as our Roman actors do. 
With untirM spirits and formal constancy: 
And so, good morrow to you every one. — 

[Exeunt 'ill bid Brutus. 
Boy ! Lucius ! — Fast asleep ( It is no matter ; 
Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber: 230 

Thou hast no figures, nor no fantasies, 
Which busy care draws in the brains of men; 
Therefore thou sleep' st so sound. 

Enter Portia. 
Portia. Brutus, my lord! 

Brutus. Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rise you 
now? 
It is not for your health thus to commit 
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning. 

Portia. Nor for yours, neither. You we ungently, 
Brutus, 
Stole from my bed; and yesternight, at supper, 
You suddenly arose and walk'd about, 
Musing and sighing, with your arms across; 
And, when I ask'd you what the matter was, 
You stard upon me with ungentle looks. 
I urg'd you further ; then you scratched your head, 



52 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot. 

Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, 

But with an angry wafture of your hand 

Gave sign for me to leave you. So I did ; 

Fearing to strengthen that impatience 

Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal 

Hoping it was but an effect of humor, 250 

Which sometime hath his hour with every man. 

It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, 

And, could it work so much upon your shape 

As it hath much prevail'd on your condition, 

I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord, 

Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. 

Brutus. I am not well in health, and that is all. 

Portia. Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, 
He would embrace the means to come by it. 

Brutus. Why, so I do. — Good Portia, go to bed. 260 

Portia. Is Brutus sick ? and is it physical 
To walk unbraced and suck up the humors 
Of the dank morning ? What ! is Brutus sick, 
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed, 
To dare the vile contagion of the night, 
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air 
To add unto his sickness? No, my Brutus; 
You have sonic sick offense within your mind, 
Which by the right and virtue of my place 
I ought to know of: and, upon my knees, 27 ° 

L charm you, by my once commended beauty, 
By all your vows of love and that great vow 
Which did incorporate and make us one, 
That you unfold to me, yourself, your half, 



JULIUS CJSSAR 53 

Why you are heavy, and what men to-night 
Have had resort to you ; for here have been 
Some six or seven, who did hide their faces 
Even from darkness. 

Brutus. Kneel not, gentle Portia. 

Portia. I should not need if you were gentle Brutus. 
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, 
Is it excepted I should know no secrets 
That appertain to you? Am I yourself 
But, as it were, in sort or limitation, 
To keep with you at meals, comfort your bed, 
And talk to you sometimes ? Dwell I but in the suburbs 
Of your good pleasure ? If it be no more, 
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife. 

Brutus. You are my true and honourable wife, 
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
That visit my sad heart. 

Portia. If this were true, then should I know this secret. 
I grant I am a woman, but withal 
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife ; 
I grant I am a woman, but withal 
A woman well reputed, Cato's daughter. 
Think you I am no stronger than my sex, 
Being so father' d and so husbanded? 
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em : 
I have made strong proof of my constancy, 
Giving myself a voluntary wound 
Here in the thigh ; can I bear that with patience, 
And not my husband's secrets ? 

Brutus. O ye gods, 

Render me worthy of this noble wife ! — 

{Knocking within. 



54 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Hark, hark ! one knocks. Portia, go in a while ; 

And by and by thy bosom shall partake 

The secrets of my heart. 

All my engagements I will construe to thee, 

All the charactery of my sad brows. 

Leave me with haste. — [Exit Portia, 

Enter Lucius and Ligarius. 

Lucius, who 's that knocks ? 

Lucius. Llere is a sick man that would speak with 
you. 310 

Brutus. Cains Ligarius, that Metellus spake of. — 
Boy, stand aside. — Cains Ligarius ! how ? 

Ligarius. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. 

Brutus. O, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, 
To wear a kerchief ! Would you were not sick ! 

Ligarius. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand 
Any exploit worthy the name of honour. 

Brutus. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, 
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. 

Ligarius. By all the gods that Romans bow before, 320 
I here discard my sickness. Soul of Rome ! 
Brave son, deriv'd from honorable loins! 
Thou, like an exorcist, hast con jurM up 
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run,. 
And I will strive with things impossible, 
Yea, get the better of them. What 's to do % 

Brutus. A piece of work that will make sick men whole. 

Ligarius. But are not some whole that we must make 
sick ? 

Brutus. That must we also. What it is, my Caius, 



JULIUS CLESAR 55 

I shall unfold to thee as we are going 
To whom it must be done. 

Ligarius. Set on your foot, 

And with a heart new-fir'd I follow you, 
To do I know not what; but it suffieotli 
That. Brutus leads me on. 

Brutus. Follow me, then. [Exeunt. 

Scene II. A Room in Caesar s Palace. 
Thunder and lightning. Enter Caesar in his night-gown. 
Caesar. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to- 
night ; 
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 
'Help, ho ! they murther Caesar !' — Who 's within ? 

Enter a Servant. 

Servant. My lord? 

Caesar. Go bid the priests do present sacrifice, 
And bring me their opinions of success. 

Servant. I will, my lord. [Exit. 

Enter Calpurnia. 

Calpurnia. What mean you, Caesar ? Think you to 
walk forth ? 
You shall not stir out of your house to-day. 

Caesar. Caesar shall forth. The things that threaten'd 
me 
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see 11 

The face of Caesar, they are vanished. 

Calpurnia. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, 
Yet now they fright me. There is one within, 



56 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Besides the things that we have heard and seen, 

Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. 

A lioness hath whelped in the streets ; 

And graves have yawn'd and yielded up their dead ; 

Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, 

In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 20 

Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol ; 

The noise of battle hurtled in the air, 

Horses did neigh and dying men did groan, 

And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. 

O Caesar ! these things are bevond all use, 

And I do fear them. 

Caesar. . What can be avoided 

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? 
Yet ( Jsesar shall go forth ; for these predictions 
Are to the world in general as to Caesar. 

Calpumia. When beggars die, there are no comets seen ; 
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. 31 

Caesar. Cowards die many times before their deaths ; 
The valiant never taste of death but once. 
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, 
It seems to me most strange that men should fear, 
Seeing that death, a necessary end, 
Will come when it will come. — 

Enter a Servant. 

What say the augurers ? 

Servant. They would not have you to stir forth to-day. 
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, 
They could not find a heart within the beast. 40 

Caesar. The gods do this in shame of cowardice ; 
Caesar should be a beast without a heart, 



JULIUS (LESAR 57 

If he should stay at home to-day for fear. 
No, Caesar shall not. Danger knows full well 
That Caesar is more dangerous than he. 
We are two lions litter' d in one day, 
And I the elder and more terrible ; 
And Caesar shall go forth. 

Calpurnia. Alas ! my lord, 

Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence. 
Do not go forth to-day. Call it my fear 
That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 
We Tl send Mark Antony to the senate-house, 
And he shall say you are not well to-day; 
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. 

Caesar. Mark Antony shall say I am not well, 
And, for thy humour, I will stay at home. 

Enter Decius. 

Here's Decius Brutus, he shall toll them so. 

Decius. Caesar, all hail ! Good morrow, worthy Caesar ; 
I come to fetch you to the senate-house. 

Caesar. And you are come in very happy time 
To bear my greeting to the senators, 
And tell them that I will not come to-day. 
Cannot is false; and that I dare not, falser; 
I will not come to-day. Tell them so, Decius. 

Calpurnia. Say lie is sick. 

Caesar. Shall Caesar send a lie? 

Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far, 
To be af eard to tell greybeards the truth ? — 
Decius, go tell them Caesar will not come. 

Decius. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause, 
Lest I be laugh' d at when I tell them so. 



CO 



Td 



5S TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Caesar. The cause is in my will ; I will not come : 
That is enough to satisfy the senate. 
But, for your private satisfaction, 
Because I love you, I will let you know. 
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home. 
She dream' d to-night she saw my statua, 
Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, 
Did run pure blood, and many lusty Romans 
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it; 
And these does she apply for warnings and portents 
And evils imminent, and on her knee 
Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day. 

Decius. This dream is all amiss interpreted; 
It was a vision fair and fortunate. 
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, 
In which so many smiling Komans bath'd, 
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck 
Reviving blood, and that great men shall press 
For tinctures, stains, relics, and cognizance. 
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified. 90 

Caesar. And this way have you well expounded it. 

Decius. I have, when you have heard what I can say ; 
And know it now. The senate have concluded 
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. 
If you shall scud them word you will not come, 
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock 
Apt to be render'd, for some one to say, 
'Break up the senate till another time, 
When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams.' 
If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, 10t> 

' Lo, Caesar is afraid ' ? 
Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear, dear love 



JULIUS C^SAR 59 

To your proceeding bids me tell you this, 
And reason to my love is liable. 

Caesar. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpur- 
nia! 
I am ashamed I did vield to them. — 
Give my robe, for I will go. — 

Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, 
Trebonius, and Cinna. 

And look where Publius is come to fetch me. 

Publius. Good morrow, Caesar. 

Caesar. Welcome, Publius. — 

What, Brutus, are you stirr'd so early too ? — 
Good morrow, Casca. — Cains Ligarius, 
Caesar was ne'er so much your enemy 
As that same ague which hath made you lean. — 
What is 't o'clock ? 

Brutus. Caesar, 't is strucken eight. 

Caesar. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. 

Enter Antony. 

See ! Antony, that revels long o' nights, 

Is notwithstanding up. — Good morrow, Antony. 

Antony. So to most noble Caesar. 

Caesar. Bid them prepare within. — 

T am to blame to be thus waited for. — 
Now, Cinna. — Now, Metellus. — What, Trebonius! l2 ° 
I have an hour's talk in store for yon. 
Remember that you call on me to-day ; 
Be near me, that I may remember you. 

Trebonius. Caesar, I will. — [Aside'] And so near will 
I be 
That your best friends shall wish I had been further. 



60 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Caesar. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with 
me; 
And we, like friends, will straightway go together. 

Brutus. [Aside] That every like is not the same, O 
Caesar, 
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon ! [Exeunt. 

Scene III. A Street near the Capitol. 
Enter Artemldorus, reading a Paper. 

Artemidorus. Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of 
Cassius; come not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; 
trust not Trebonius ; mark well Metellus Cimber; Decius 
Brutus loves thee nqt; thou hast ivronged Caius Ligarius. 
There is but one mind in all these men, and it is bent 
against Caesar. If thou beest not immortal, look about 
you; security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty gods 
dc foul thee! Thy lover, Artemidorus. 

Here will I stand till Caesar pass along, 
And as a suitor will I give him this. 10 

My heart laments that virtue cannot live 
Out of the teeth of emulation. — 
If thou read this, O Caesar, thou mayest live; 
If not, the fates with traitors do contrive. [Exit. 

S<kne IV. Another Part of the same Street, before the 

House of Brutus. 
Enter Portia and Lucius. 
Portia. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house; 
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone. 
Why dost thou stay? 



JULIUS OESAR <;i 

Lucius. To know thy errand, madam. 

Portia. I would have had thee there, and here again, 
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. — 

constancy, be strong upon my side ! 

Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue! 

1 have a man's mind, but a woman's might. 
How hard it is for women to keep counsel! — 
Art thou here yet? 

Lucius. Madam, what should 1 do? 

Run to the Capitol, and nothing else ? 
And so return to you, and nothing else ? 

Portia. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well, 
For he went sickly forth ; and take good note 
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him. 
Hark, boy ! what noise is that % 

Lucius. I hear none, madam. 

Portia. Prithee, listen well; 

I heard a bustling rumour like a fray, 
And the wind brings it from the Capitol. 

Lucius. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. 

Enter the Soothsayer. 

Portia. Come hither, fellow. Which Way hast thou 

been? 
Soothsayer. At mine own house, good lady. 
Portia. What is 't o'clock? 

Soothsayer. About the ninth hour, lady. 
Portia. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol? 
Soothsayer. Madam, not yet; I go to take my stand, 
To see him pass on to the Capitol. 

Portia. Thou hast some suit to Caesar, hast thou not? 
Soothsayer. That I have, lady ; if it will please Caesar 



62 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

To be so good to Caesar as to hear me, 
I shall beseech him to befriend himself. 

Portia. Why, know'st thou any harm 's intended 
towards him ? 

Soothsayer. None that I know will be, much that I fear 
may chance, 
(food morrow to you. — Here the street, is narrow; 
The throng thai follows Caesar at the heels, 
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors, 
Will croAvd a feeble man almost to death: 
I 11 get me to a place more void, and there 
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. 

Portia. I must go in. — Ay me, how weak a thing 
The heart of woman is ! O Brutus, 40 

The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise ! — 
Sure, the boy heard me. — Brutus hath a suit, 
That Caesar will not grant. — O, I grow faint! — 
Run, Lucius, and commend me to thy lord; 
Say I am merry : come to me again, 
And bring me word what he doth say to thee. [Exeunt. 



ACT III. 
Scene I. The Capitol; the Seriate sitting. 

A crowd of People in the Street leading l<> (he Capitol; 
among them Artemidorus and the Soothsayer. Flour- 
ish. Fnler Caesar, Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Dectus, 
Metellus, Tkeuonius, Cinna, Antony, Lecidus, 
Pornuus, Publius, and others. 
Caesar. The ides of March are come. 
Soothsayer. Ay, Caesar; hut not gone. 
Artemidorus. Hail, Csesar! Read this schedule. 
Decius. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, 

At your best leisure, this his humble suit. 

Artemidorus. 0, Csesar, read mine first; for mine's 
a suit 

That touches Caesar nearer. Read it, great Csesar. 
Caesar. What touches us ourself shall be last serv'd. 
Artemidorus. Delay not, Csesar; read it instantly. 
Caesar. What ! is the fellow mad ? 

Publius. Sirrah, give place. 10 

Cassius. What ! urge you your petitions in the street % 

Tome to the Capitol. 

Caesar enters the Capitol, I he rest following. All the 

Senators rise. 
Popilius. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. 
Cassius. What enterprise, Popilius? 
Popilius. Fare you well. [Advances to Caesar. 

1 (63) 



64 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Brutus. What said Popilius Lena ? 

Cassius. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive. 
I fear our purpose is discovered. 

B? , utus. Look, how he makes to Caesar; mark him. 

Cassius. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. — 20 
Brutus, what shall be done ? If this be known, 
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, 
For I will slay myself. 

Brutus. Cassius, be constant: 

Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes ; 
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. 

Cassius. Trebonius knows his time ; for, look you, 
Brutus, 
He draws Mark Antony out of the way. 

[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. Caesar and thz 
Senators take their seats. 

Decius. Where is Metellus Cimber ? Let him go 
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. 

Brutus. He is address'd; press near and second him. 

Cinna. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. 30 

Casca. Are we all ready? 

Caesar. What is now amiss 

That Caesar and his senate must redress ? 

Metellus. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant 
Caesar, 
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat 
An humble heart. — [Kneeling. 

Caesar. I must prevent thee, Cimber. 

These couchings and these lowly courtesies 
Might fire the blood of ordinary men, 
And turn pre-ordinance and first degree 



JULIUS OESAB 65 

Into the law of children. Be not fond, 

To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood 

That will be thaw'd from the true quality 

With that which melteth fools, — I mean sweet words, 

Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. 

Thy brother by decree is banished ; 

If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, 

I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. 

Know Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause 

Will he be satisfied. 

Metellus. Is there no voice more worthy than my own, 
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar's ear 
For the repealing of my banish' d brother ? 

Brutus. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, 
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may 
Have an immediate freedom of repeal. 

Caesar. What, Brutus ! 

Cassius. Pardon, Caesar ; Caesar, pardon. 

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, 
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. 

Caesar. I could be well mov'cl, if I were as yon; 

If I could pray to move, prayers would move me : 

But I am constant as the northern star, 

Of whose true-fix' d and resting quality 

There is no fellow in the firmament. 

The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks ; 

They are all fire, and every one doth shine ; 

But there 's but one in all doth hold his place. 

So in the world ; 't is furnish'd well with men, 

And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive ; 

Yet, in the number, I do know but one 
—5 



66 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

That unassailable holds on his rank, 

Unshak'd of motion: and that I am he, 

Let me a little show it, even in this, — 

That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd, 

And constant do remain to keep him so. 

Cinna. O Caesar. 

Caesar. Hence! wilt thou lift up Olympus? 

Decius. Great Caesar, — 

Caesar. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? 

Casca. Speak, hands, for me. 

[Casca stabs Caesar in the neck. Caesar catches 
hold of his arm. Re is then stabbed by several 
other Conspirators, and at last by Marcus 
Brutus. 

Caesar. Et tu, Brute ! — Then, fall, Caesar. 

[Dies. The Senators and People retire in confusion. 

Cinna. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! — 
Kim hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. 

Cassius. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out, 8,) 
k Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement! ' 

Brutus. People, and senators ! be not affrighted ; 
Fly not; stand still: — ambition's debt is paid. 

Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus. 

Decius. And Cassius too. 

Brutus. Where 's Publius ? 

Cinna. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. 

Metellus. Stand fast together, lest some friend of 
Caesar's 
Should chance — 

Brutus. Talk not of standing. — Publius, good cheer; 90 



julius c.ksai: 67 

There is no harm intended to your person, 
Nor to no Roman else: so tell them, Publius. 

Oassius. And leave us, Publius; lest, that the people 
Rushing on us should do your age some mischief. 

Brutus. Do so; — and lei no man abide this deed 
But we the doers. 

tinier Trebonius. 

Oassius. Where is Antony? 

Trebonius. Fled to his house aniazM. 
Men, wives, and children stare, cry out, and run. 
As it were doomsday. 

Brutus. Fates! we will know your pleasures: 

That we shall die, we know; 't is but the time, 
And drawing days out, that men stand upon. 

Qasca. Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life 
Cuts off so many years of fearing death. 

Brutus. Grant that, and then is death a benefit; 
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridged 
His time of fearing death. — Stoop, Romans, stoop. 
And let us bathe our hands in Caesar's blood 
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords; 
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, 
And, waving our red weapons' o'er our heads, 
Let's all cry, Peace! Freedom! and Liberty! 

Cassius. Stoop, then, and wash. — How many ages hence 
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over 
In states unborn and accents yet unknown ! 

Brutus. How many times shall < 'sesar bleed in sport. 
That now on Pompey's basis lies along 
No worthier than the dust ! 



120 



68 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Cassius. So oft as that shall be, 

So often shall the knot of ns be call'd 
The men that gave their country liberty. 

Decius. What ! shall we forth ? 

Cassius. Ay, every man away; 

Brutus shall lead, and we will grace his heels 
With the most boldest and best hearts of Koine. 

Enter a Servant. 

Brutus. Soft, who comes here? A friend of Antony's. 

Servant. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel; 
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down ; 
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: 
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest ; 
Ca?sar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving. 
Say I love Brutus and I honour him; 
Say I fear'd Caesar, honour'd him, and lov'd him. 
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony 
May safely come to him and be resolv'd 
How Caesar hath deserv'd to lie in death, 
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead 
So well as Brutus living, but will follow 
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus 
Through the hazards of this untrod state 
With all true faith. So says my master Antony. 

Brutus. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman ; 
I never thought him worse. 140 

Tell him, so please him come unto this place, 
Tie shall be satisfied and, by my honour, 
Depart untouch'd. 

Servant. I ? 11 fetch him presently. [Exit Servant. 



JULIUS C^SAR 69 

Brutus. I know that we shall have him well to friend. 

Cassius. I wish we may ; but yet have I a mind 
That fears him much, and my misgiving still 
Fulls shrewdly to the purpose. 

Enter Antony. 

Brutus. But here conies Antony. — Welcome, Hark An- 
tony. 

Antony. O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low \ 
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 
Shrunk to this little measure ? Fare thee well. — 
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, 
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank; 
If I myself, there is no hour so fit- 
As Caesar's death's hour, nor no instrument 
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich 
With the most noble blood of all this world. 
I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard, 
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, 
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, 
I shall not find myself so apt to die; 
No place will please me so, no mean of death, 
As here by Caesar and by you cut off, 
The choice and master spirits of this age. 

Brutus. O Antony! beg not your death of us. 
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, 
As, by our hands and this our present act, 
You see we do, yet see you but our hands 
And this the bleeding business they have done. 
Our hearts you see not: they are pitiful; 17,) 

And pity to the general wrong of Rome — 



70 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

As fire drives out fire, so pity pity — 

Hath done this deed on Caesar. For your part, 

To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Anton y ; 

Our arms in strength of malice, and our hearts 

Of brothers' temper, do receive you in, 

With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. 

Cassius. Your voice shall be as strong as any man's 
In the disposing of new dignities. 

Brutus. Only be patient, till we have appeas'd 
The multitude, beside themselves with fear, 
And then we will deliver you the cause* 
Why I, that did love Caesar when I struck him, 
Have thus proceeded. 

Antony. I doubt not of your wisdom. 

Let each man render me his bloody hand: 
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you; — 
Next, Cains Cassius, do I take your hand; — 
Kow, Decius Brutus, yours; — now yours, Metcllus; — 
Yours, Cinna; — and, my valiant Casca, yours; — 
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. l90 
Gentlemen all, — alas! what shall I say? 
My credit now stands on such slippery ground, 
That one of two bad ways yon must conceit me,, 
Either a coward or a flatterer. — 
That T did love thee, Caesar, O, 't is true! 
If then thy spirit look upon us now, 
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, 
To see thy Antony making his peace, 
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, 
Most noble! in the presence of thy corse? 20 ° 

Had I as many eves as thou hast wounds, 



JULIUS C.KSAl! 71 

Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, 

It would become me better than to close 

In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 

Pardon me, Julius! — Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; 

Here didst thou fall, and here thy hunters stand, 

Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson'd in thy Lethe.— 

() world! thou wast the forest to this hart; 

And this, indeed, world, the heart of thee. — 

How like a deer strncken by many princes 

I )ost thou here lie ! 

Cassius. Mark Antony, — 

Antony. Pardon me, Tains ( 1 assins: 
The enemies of Csesar shall say tins; 
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. 

Cassias-. T blame you not for praising Csesar so; 
But what compact, mean you to have with us 'I 
Will von be prick' d in number of our friends; 
Or shall we on, and not depend on you? 

Antony. Therefore 1 took your hands, hut was indeed 
Sway'd from the point by looking down on Csesar. 
Friends am I with you all and love you all, 
Upon this hope, that yon shall give me reasons 
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. 

Brutus. Or else were this a savage spectacle. 
Our reasons are so full of good regard 
That were you, Antony, the son of Caesar, 
You should be satisfied. 

Antony. That 's all I seek ; 

And am moreover suitor that I may 
Produce his body to the market-place, 



72 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, 
Speak in the order of his funeral. 

Brutus. You shall, Mark Antony. 

Cassius. Brutus, a word with you. — 

[Aside] You know not what you do. Do not consent 
That Anton}' speak in his funeral. 
Know you how much the people may be niov'd 
By that which he will utter ? 

Brutus. By your pardon ; — 

I will myself into the pulpit first, 
And show the reason of our Caesar's death; 
What Antony shall speak, I will protest 
He speaks by leave and by permission, 240 

And that we are contented Caesar shall 
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. 
It shall advantage more than do us wrong. 

Cassius. I know not what may fall ; I like it not. 

Brutus. Mark Antony, here, take you Caesar's body. 
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, 
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, 
And say you do 't by our permission ; 
Else shall you not have any hand at all 
About his funeral. And you shall speak 260 

In the same pulpit whereto I am going, 
After my speech is ended. 

Antony. Be it so ; 

I do desire no more. 

Brutus. Prepare the body then, and follow us. 

[Exeunt all but Antony. 

Antony. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, 
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ! 



2<;o 



27 



JULIUS CLESAR 73 

Thou art the ruins of the noblest man 
That ever lived in the tide of times. 
Woe to the hands that shed this costly blood ! 
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy, 
Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips 
To bee: the voice and utterance of my tongue: 
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men ; 
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife 
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy ; 
Blood and destruction shall be so in use. 
And dreadful objects so familiar, 
That mothers shall but smile when they behold 
Their infants quartered with the hands of war. 
All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds ; 
And Caesar's spirit ranging for revenge, 
With Ate by his side come hot from hell, 
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice 
Cry k Havoc ! ' and let slip the dogs of war ; 
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth 
With carrion men groaning for burial. — 

E^iter a Servant. 
You serve Octavius Caesar, do you nol \ 

Servant. I do, Mark Antony. 

Antony. Caesar did write for him to oome to Kome. 

Servant. He did receive his letters and is coming, 28 ° 
And bid me say to you by word of mouth — 
O Caesar ! — [Seeing the body. 

Antony. Thy heart is big; get thee apart and weep. 
Passion, I see, is catching, for mine eyes, 
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 
Began to water. Is thy master coming? 



74 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Servant. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. 

Antony. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath 
chanc'd. 
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, 
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet ; 29 ° 

Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile; 
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse 
Into the market-place: there shall I try, 
In my oration, how the people take 
The cruel issue of these bloody men ; 
According to the which thou shalt discourse 
To young Octavius of the state of things. 
Lend me your hand. | Exeunt with Caesar's bod;/. 

Scene II. The Forum. 
Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens. 

Citizens. We will be satisfied; lot us be satisfied. 

Brutus. Then follow me, and give me audience, 
friends. — 
( 'assius, go von into the other street, 
And part the numbers. — 

Those that will bear me speak, le! 'em stay here; 
Those that, will follow Cassius, go with him; 
And public reasons shall be rendered . 
Of ( Cesar's death. 

1 Citizen. I will hear Brutus speak. 

2 Citizen. I will hear Cassius, and compare their 

reasons, 
When severally we hear them rendered. 10 

| Exit CassiuSj with some of Ike Citizens. Brutus 
goes into the pulpit. 



JULIUS c.ksai; 75 

3 Citizen. The noble Brutus is ascended. Silence! 

Brutus. Be patient till the last. 
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, 
and be silent, that you may hear; believe me for mine hon- 
our, and have respect to mine honour, that you may be- 
lieve; censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, 
that you may the better judge. If there be any in this 
assembly, any clear friend of Caesar's, to him I say thai 
Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that 
friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my 
answer, — Xot that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved 
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were Living, and 
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free- 
men \ As Caesar loved me, 1 weep for him; as he was for- 
tunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, 1 honour him: 
but as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his 
love, joy for his fortune, honour for his valour, and death 
for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a 
bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who 
is here so rude that would not be a Roman \ If any, speak, 
for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not 
love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. 
I pause for a reply. 

All. None, Brutus, none. 

Brutus. Then none have I offended. I have done no 
more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question 
of his death is enrolled in the Capitol; his glory not ex- 
tenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences enforced, 
for which he suffered death. 



76 



TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 



Enter Antony and others, with Caesar s body. 
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who, 
though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the benefit 
of his dying, a place in the commonwealth ; as which of you 
shall not? With this I depart, — that, as I slew my best 
lover for the good of Rome, I have the same dagger for my- 
self when it shall please my country to need my death. i4 
All. Live, Brutus, live! live! 

1 Citizen. Bring him with triumph home unto his 

house. 

2 Citizen. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 

3 Citizen. Let him be Caesar. 

4 Citizen. Caesar's better parts 
Shall now be crown' d in Brutus. 

1 Citizen. We'll bring him to his house with shouts 

and clamours. 50 

Brutus. My countrymen, — 

2 Citizen. Peace ! silence ! Brutus speaks, 
1 Citizen. Peace, ho ! 

Brutus. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, 
And, for my sake, stay here with Antony ; 
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech 
Lending to Caesar's glories, which Mark Antony 
By our permission is allow' d to make. 
I do entreat you, not a man depart, 
Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [Exit. 

1 Citizen. Stay, ho ! and let us hear Mark Anton y 

3 Citizen. Let him go up into the public chair ; 
We '11 hear him. — Noble Antony, go up. 

Antony. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 

4 Citizen. What does he say of Brutus? 



80 



JULIUS C^SAR 77 

3 Citizen. He says, for Brutus' sake, 
He finds himself beholding to us all. 

4 Citizen. 'T were best he speak no harm of Brutus 

here. 

1 Citizen. This Caesar was a tyrant. 

3 Citizen. Nay, that 's certain ; 

We are blest that Borne is rid of It i mi. 

2 Citizen. Peace, let us bear what Antony ran say. ,:,> 
. 1 ntony. You gentle Romans, — 

All. Peace, ho! lei us hear liini. 

Antony. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me youi* 
ears ; 
I come to bury Ciesar, not to praise him. 
The evil that men do lives after them, 
The good is oft interred with their bones; 
So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus 
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious ; 
If it were so, it was a grievous fault, 
And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. 
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, — 
For Brutus is an honourable man, 
So are they all, all honourable men, — 
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. 
He was my friend, faithful and just to me : 
But Brutus says he was ambitious ; 
And Brutus is an honourable man. 
He hath brought many captives home t<> Rome, 
Whose ransom did the general coffers till; 
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious ? 
When that the poor hath cried. Caesar hath wept ; 
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff. 



78 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 

And Brutus is an honourable man. 

You all did see that on the Lupercal 

1 thrice presented him a kingly crown, 

Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition % 

Yet Brutus says he Avas ambitious; 

And, sure, he is an honourable man. 

I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 

But here 1 am to speak what I do know. 

Von all did love him once, not without cause; 

What cause withholds you then to mourn for him \ 

judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, 

And men have lost their reason! — Bear with me; 
My heart is in the coffin there with Ca?sar, 
And I must pause till it come back to me. 

1 Citizen. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. 

2 Citizen. If thou consider rightly of the matter, 
( *a>sar has had great wrong. 

3 Citizen. Has he, masters? 

1 fear there will a worse conic in his place. 

. I Citizen. MarkM ye his words? He would not take 
the crown; 110 

Therefore 't is certain he was not ambitious. 

1 Citizen. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 

2 Citizen. Poor soul! his eyes are. red as fire with 

weeping. 
:j Citizen. There 's not a nobler man in Rome than 
Antony. 

4 Citizen. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. 
Antony. But yesterday the word of Csesar might 

Have stood against the world ; now lies he there, 



JULIUS c.Esu; 79 

And none so poor to do him reverence. 

masters! if 1 were disposed to stir 

Your "hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, 12 ° 

1 should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong, 
Who, you all know, are honourable men. 

I will not do them wrong; I rather choose 

To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and yon, 

Than I will wrong such honourable men. 

But here's a parchment, with the seal of Caesar; 

1 found it in his closet; 't is his will. 

Let but the commons hear this lest anient, — 

Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read, — 

And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds, 

And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, 

Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, 

And, dying, mention it within their wills, 

Bequeathing it as a rich legacy 

Unto their issue. 

4 Citizen. We '11 hear the will. Read it, .Mark Antony. 

All. The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will. 

Antony. Have patience, gentle friends, I must no! 
read it; 
It is not meet you know how Caesar lov'd you. 
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men ; 
And, being men, hearing the will of Caisar, 
It will inflame you, it will make you mad. 
'T is good you know not that you are his heirs; 
For if you should, (), what would come of it?, 

4 Citizen. Read the will! we'll hear it, Antony! 
You shall read us the will ! Caesar's will ! 

Antony. Will you be patient '( Will you stay awhile ? 



80 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

I have o'ershot myself, to tell you of it. 

I fear I wrong the honourable men 

Whose daggers have stabb'd Caesar; I do fear it. 150 

4 Citizen. They were traitors ! Honourable men ! 

All. The will! the testament! 

2 Citizen. They were villains, murtherers ! The*will! 
Read the will ! 

Antony. You will compel me, then, to read the will 'I 
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, 
And let me show you him that made the will. 
Shall I descend ? And will you give me leave ? 

All. Come down. 159 

2 Citizen. Descend. \_He conies down from the pulpit. 

3 Citizen. You shall have leave. 

4 Citizen. A ring; stand round. 

1 Citizen. Stand from the hearse, stand from the body. 

2 Citizen. Room for Antony ! — most noble Antony ! 
Antony. Nay, press not so upon me ; stand far off. 
All. Stand back! room! bear back! 

Antony. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. 
You all do know this mantle : I remember 
The first time ever Caesar put it on ; 
'T was on a summer's evening, in his tent, 1T0 

That day he overcame the Nervii. 
Look ! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through ; 
See what a rent the envious Casca made; 
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd ; , 
And as he pluck' d his cursed steel away, 
Mark how the blood of Caesar follow' d it, 
As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd 
If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no; 



JULIUS CiESAK 8j[ 



For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel : 

Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov'd him ! 180 

This was the most unkindest cut of all ; 

For, when the noble Caesar saw him stab, 

Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 

Quite vanquished him: then burst his mighty heart; 

And, in his mantle muffling up his face, 

Even at the base of Pompey's statua, 

Which all the while ran blood, great Csesar fell. 

O, what a fall Avas there, my countrymen ! 

Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, 

Whilst bloody treason flourished over us. 

O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel 

The dint of pity; these are gracious drops. 

Kind souls, what ! weep you when you but behold 

Our Caesar's vesture wounded ? Look you here, 

Here is himself, marr'd, as you see, with traitors. 

1 Citizen. O, piteous spectacle ! 

2 Citizen. O, noble Caesar ! 

3 Citizen. 0, woful day ! 

•i Citizen. O, traitors, villains ! 

1 Citizen. O, most bloody sight ! 

2 Citizen. We will be reveng'd ! -"" 
All. Kevenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! 

Slay! Let not a traitor live! 
Antony. Stay, countrymen. 

1 Citizen. Peace 1 there! Hear the noble Antony. 

2 Citizen. We '11 hear him, we 11 follow him, we Ml <li*' 

with him. 

Antony. Good friends, sweet friends, let me nol stir 

you up 
—6 



g2 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

To such a sudden flood of mutiny. 

They that have done this deed are honourable. 

What private griefs they have, alas ! I know not, 

That made them do it ; they are wise and honourable, 

And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. 

I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: 

I am no orator, as Brutus is, 

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, 

That love my friend ; and that they know full well 

That gave me public leave to speak of him. 

For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, 

Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, 

To stir men's blood : I only speak right on ; 

I tell you that which you yourselves do know, 

Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, 

And bid them speak for me: but, were I Brutus, 

And Brutus Antony, there were 1 an Antony 

Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue 

In every wound of Caesar that should move 

The stones of Home to rise and mutiny. 

All. We '11 mutiny. 

1 Citizen. We '11 burn the house of Brutus. 230 

3 Citizen. Away, then ! come, seek the conspirators. 

Antony. Yet hear me, countrymen ; yet hear me speak. 

All. Peace, ho ! Hear Antony, most noble Antony. 

Antony. Why, friends, yon go to do you know not what. 
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserv'd your loves? 
Alas, you know not ! — I must tell you, then. 
You have forgot the will I told you of. 

All. Most true; — the will! — let's stay, and hear the 
will. 



JULIUS CiESAR 83 

Antony. Mere is the will, and under Caesar's seal. 
To every Roman citizen be gives, 240 

To everv several man, seventy-five drachmas. 

2 Citizen. Most noble Caesar! — we '11 revenge his death. 

:*> Citizen. O, royal Caesar! 

Antony. Hoar me with patience. 

All. Peace, ho ! 

Antony. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, 
His private arbours, and new-planted orchards, 
On this side Tiber; lie hath left them von, 
And to your heirs forever, common pleasures, 
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. 25 ° 

Here was a Caesar ! When comes such another \ 

1 Citizen. Never, never! — come, away, away! 
We 7 11 burn his body in the holy place, 

And with the brands fire the traitors' house-. 
Take up the body. 

2 Citizen. Go, fetch fire. 

o Citizen. Pluck down benches. 

4 Citizen. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. 

[Exeunt Citizens, with, the hod;/. 
Antony. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, 
Take thou what course then wilt ! — How now, fellow \ * J,i ' 

Enter a Servant. 

Servant. Sir, Oetavius is already come to Rome. 

. I ntony. Where is he \ 

Servant. He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house. 

Antony. And thither will 1 straight to visit him. 
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry. 
And in this mood will give us any thing. 



84 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Servant. I heard him say Brutus and Cassius 
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. 

Antony. Belike they had some notice of the people, 269 
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. [Exeunt. 

Scene III. A Street. 

Enter Cinna Lite Poet. 
Cinna. I dream,' d to-night that I did feast with Caesar, 
And things unlucky charge my fantasy. 
I have no will to wander forth of doors, 
Yet something leads me forth. 

Enter Citizens. 

1 Citizen. What is your name ? 

2 Citizen. Whither are you going? 

3 Citizen,. Where do you dwell % 

4 Citizen. Are you a married man, or a bachelor? 

2 Citizen. Answer every man directly. 

1 Citizen. Ay, and briefly. 10 
4 Citizen. Ay, and wisely. 

3 Citizen. Ay, and truly, you were best. 

Cinna. What is my name ? Whither am I going ? Where 
do I dwell \ Am I a married man, or a bachelor % Then 
to answer every man directly and briefly, wiselv and truly. 
Wisely, L say, I am a bachelor. 

2 Citizen. That 's as much as to say, they are fouls that 
marry ; — you '11 bear me a bang for that, I fear. Proceed ; 
directly. 

Cinna. Directly, I am i»oinjv \. Caesar's funeral. 20 

1 Citizen. As a friend, or an enemy ? 
Cinna. As a friend. 



JULIUS OESAR 85 

2 Citizen. That matter is answered directly. 
4 Citizen. For your dwelling, — briefly. 
Cinna. Briefly, I dwell by the Capitol. 

3 Citizen. Your name, sir, truly. 
Cinna. Truly, my name is Cinna. 

1 Citizen. Tear him to pieces, he 's a conspirator. 
Cinna. I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet. 

4 Citizen. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for 
his bad verses. 31 

Cinna. I am not Cinna the conspirator. 

2 Citizen. It is no matter, his name 's Cinna ; pluck 
but his name out of his heart, and turn him going. 

3 Citizen. Tear him, tear him ! Come, brands, ho ! 
fire-brands ! To Brutus', to Cassius' ; burn all. Some to 
Decius' house, and some to Casca's ; some to Ligarius' : 
away ! go ! [Exeunt. 



ACT IV. , 
Scene T. A Room in Antony's House. Antony, Octa- 
vius, and Lepidus, seated at a table. 
Antony. These many, then, shall die ; their names are 

prick'd. 
Octavius. Yonr brother too must die. Consent you, 

Lepidus ? 
Lepidus. I do consent. 

Octavius. Prick him down, Antony. 

Lepidus. Upon condition Publi-us shall not live, 
Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. 

Antony. He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn 
him. 
But Lepidus, go you to Caesar's house ; 
Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine 
How to cut of! some charge in legacies. 

Lepidus. What, shall I find you here? 10 

Octavius. Or here or at the Capitol. [Exit Lepidus. 

Antony. This is a slight, unmeritable man, 
Meet to be sent on errands; is it fit, 
The three-fold world divided, lie should stand 
One of the three to share it? 

Octavius. So you thought him, 

And took his voice who should be prick'd to die 
In our black sentence and proscription. 

Antony. Octavius, I have seen more days than you : 
And though we lay these honours on this man, 

(86) 



30 



JULIUS OESAR 87 

To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads, 20 

He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold, 

To groan and sweat under the business, 

Either led or driven, as we point the way; 

And having brought our treasure where we will, 

Then take we down his load and turn him off, 

Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears 

And graze in commons. 

Octavius. You may do your will; 

But he's a tried and valiant soldier. 

Antony. So is my horse, Octavius, and for that 
I do appoint him store of provender. 
It is a creature that I teach to fight, 
To wind, to stop, to run directly on, 
His corporal motion govern* d by my spirit. 
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so: 
He must be taught, and train' d, and bid go forth ; 
A barren-spirited fellow, one that feeds 
On objects, arts, and imitations 
Which, out of use and stal'd by other men, 
Begin his fashion. Do not talk of him 
But as a property. — And now, Octaviu-. 
Listen great things. Brutus and Cassius 
Are levying powers; we must straight make head: 
Therefore let our alliance be combiud, 
Our best friends made, our means stretch'd; 
And let us presently go sit in council, 
How covert matters may be best disclos'd, 
And open perils surest answered. 

Octavius. Let us do so : for we are at the stake, 
And bay'cl about with many enemies ; 



4U 



88 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, 
Millions of mischiefs, [Exeunt. 

Scene II. Before the tent of Brutus, in the Camp near 

Sardis. 

Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Titinius, and Soldiers ; 

Pindarus meeting them; Lucius at a distance. 

Brutus. Stand, ho ! 

Lucilius. Give the word, ho! and stand. 

Brutus. What now, Lucilius ? is Cassius near ? 

Lucilius. He is at hand, and Pindarus is come 
To do you salutation from his master. 

[Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus. 

Brutus. He greets me well. — Your master, Pindarus, 
In his own change, or by ill officers, 
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish 
Things done undone; but if he be at hand, 
I shall be satisfied. 

Pindarus. I do not doubt 10 

But that my noble master will appear 
Such as he is, full of regard and honour. 

Brutus. He is not doubted. — A word, Lucilius: 
How he received you, let me be resolv'd. 

Lucilius. With courtesy, and with respect enough, 
But not with such familiar instances, 
Nor with such free and friendly conference, 
As he hath us'd of old. 

Brutus. Thou hast describ'd 

A hot friend cooling. Ever note, Lucilius, 
When love begins to sicken and decay 20 



JULIUS C^SAR 89 

It useth an enforced ceremony. 
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith ; 
But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, 
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle, 
Bin when they should endure the bloody spur 
They fall their crests, and like deceitful jades 
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on ? 

Lucilius. They mean this night in Sardis to be quar- 
ter'd ; 
The greater part, the horse in general, 
Are come with Cassius. [March within. 

Brutus. Hark, he is arriv'd. — 

March gently on to meet him. 

Enter Cassius and Soldiers. 

Cassius. Stand, ho ! 

Brutus. Stand, ho! Speak the word along. 

1 Soldier. Stand. 

2 Soldier. Stand. 

3 Soldier. Stand. 

Cassius. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. 

Brutus. Judge me, you gods ! Wrong I mine enemies i 
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother ? 

Cassius. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs, 
And when you do them — 

Brutus. Cassius, be content ; 

Speak your griefs softly, — I do know you well. 
Before the eyes of both our armies here, 
Which should perceive nothing but love from us, 
Let us not wrangle. Bid them move away ; 
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, 



90 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

And I will give you audience. 

Cassius. Pindarus, 

Bid our commanders lead their charges off 
A little from this ground. 

Brutus. Lucius, do you the like ; and let no man 
Come to our tent till we have done our conference. 
Lucilius and Titinius, guard our door. [Exeunt. 

Scene III. Within the tent of Brutus. 
Enter Brutus and Cassius. 

Cassius. That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this : 
You have condemn' d and noted Lucius Pella 
For taking bribes here of the Sardians ; 
Wherein my letter, praying on his side, 
Because I knew the man, was slighted off. 

Brutus. You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. 

Cassius. In such a time as this it is not meet 
That every nice offence should bear his comment. 

Brutus. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself 
Are much condemn'd to have an* itching palm, 
To sell and mart your offices for gold 
To undeservers. 

Cassius. I an itching palm? 

You know that yon are Brutus that speaks this, 
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. 

Brutus. The name of Cassius honours this corruption, 
And Chastisement doth therefore hide his head. 

Cassius. Chastisement ! 

Brutus. Remember March, the ides of March remem- 
ber! 



JULIUS CiESAR 91 

Did not great Julius bleed for justice sake ] 

What villain touched his body, that did stab, 20 

And not for justice? What! shall one of us, 

That struck the foremost man of all this world 

I Jn I. for supporting robbers, — shall we now 

Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, 

And sell the mighty space of our large honours 

For so much trash as may be grasped thus ? 

I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, 

Than such a Roman. 

Cassius. Brutus, bay not me; 

I'll not endure it: you forget yourself, 
To hedge me in. I am a soldier, I, 
Older in practice, abler than yourself 
To make conditions. 

Brutus. Go to; you are not, Cassius. 

Cassius. I am. 

Brutus. I say you are not. 

Cassius. Urge me no more, I shall forgel myself; 
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. 

Brutus. Away, slight man ! 

Cassius. Is 't possible \ 

Brutus. Hear me, tor I will spe;ik. 

Must I give way and room to your rash choler? 
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares '. 

Cassius. O ye gods, ye gods ! Musi [ endure all this \ 

Brutus. All this? Ay, more Frel till your proud 
heart break; 
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 
And make your bondmen tremble. Miht I budge? 
Must I observe you '( Must I stand and crunch 



92 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Under your testy humour ? By the gods, 
You shall digest the venom of your spleen, 
Though it do split you; for from this day forth 
I '11 use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, 
When you are waspish. 

Cassius. Is it come to this ? 

Brutus. You say you are a better soldier : 
Let it appear so; make your vaunting true, 
And it shall please me well. For mine own part, 
I shall be glad to learn of noble men. 

Cassius. You wrong me every way, you wrong me, 
Brutus ; 
I said an elder soldier, not a better : 
Did I say better ? 

Brutus. If you did, I care not. 

Cassius. When Csesar liv'd he durst not thus have 
mov'd me. 

Brutus. Peace, peace ! you durst not so have tempted 
him. 

Cassius. I durst not ? 60 

Brutus. ~No. 

Cassius. What ? durst not tempt him ? 

Brutus. For your life you durst -not. 

Cassius. Do not presume too much upon my love ; 
I may do that I shall be sorry for. 

Brutus. You have done that you should be sorry for. 
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; 
For I am armed so strong in honesty 
That they pass by me as the idle wind 
Which I respect not. I did send to you 
For certain sums of gold, which you denied me ; — 70 



JULIUS OESAR 93 

For I can raise no money by vile means : 

By heaven, T bad rather coin my heart, 

And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring 

From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash 

By any indirection. — I did send 

To yon for gold to pay my legions, 

Which yon denied me. Was that done like Cassius I 

Should I have answer' d Cains Cassins so? 

When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, 

To lock such rascal counters from his friends, 

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, 

Dash him to pieces ! 

Cassius. I denied you not. 

Brutus. You did. 

Cassius. I did not; he was but a fool 

That brought my answer back. — Brutus hath riv'd my 

heart; 
A friend should bear a friend's infirmities, 
But Brutus makes mine greater than they arc. 

Brutus. I do not, till you practise them on me. 

Cassius. You love me not. 

Brutus. I do not like your faults. 

Cassius. A friendly eye could never see such faults. 

Brutus. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear 
As huge as high Olympus. 

Cassius. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come. 
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius! 
For Cassius is aweary of the world ; 
Hated by one lie loves, brav'd by his brother, 
Check'd Like a bondman; all his faults observM, 
Set in a note-book, learn'd and conn'd by rote, 



94 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep 

My spirit from mine eyes ! — There is my dagger, 

And here my naked breast; within, a heart 

Dearer than Plutus 1 mine, richer than gold: 

If that thou beest a Roman, take it forth. 

I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart : 

Strike, as thou didst at Caesar; for I know, 

When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov'dst him better 

Than ever thou lov'dst Cassius. 

Brutus. Sheathe your dagger : 

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope; 
Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. 
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb, 
That carries danger as the flint, bears fire, 
Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark 
And straight is cold again. 

Cassius. Hath Cassius liv'd 

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, 
When grief and blood ill-temper' d vexeth him? 

Brutus. When I spoke that I was ill-temper'd too. 

Cassius. Do you confess so much ? Give me your hand. 

Brutus. And my heart too. 

Cassius. O Brutus ! — 

Brutus. What 's the matter J 

Cassius. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 
When that rash humour which my mother gave me 
Makes me forgetful ? 

Brutus. Yes, Cassius; and from henceforth, 12 ° 

When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, 
He '11 think your mother chides, and leave you so. 

[Noise within. 



JULIUS C/ESAR 95 

Poet. [Within] Let me go in to see the generals: 
There is some grudge between 'em ; 't is not meet 
They be alone. 

Lucilius. [Within | You shall not conic In thorn. 

Poet. [Within] Nothing hut death shall stay me. 

Enter Poet, followed l>tj Lucilius and Tin mi 8. 

Cassius. How now? What's the matter? 

Poet. For shame, yon generals! What do you mean! 
Love, and be friends, as two such men should be; 
For I have seen more years, I ni sure, than ye. 

Cassius. Ha, ha! how vilely doth this cynic rhyme! 

Brutus. Get you hence, sirrah! saucy fellow, hence! 

Cassius. Bear with him, Brutus; 't i< his fashion. 

Brutus. I '11 know his humour when he knows his time. 
What should the wars do with these jigging fools! — 
( Companion, hence! 

Cassius. Away, away! begone! [Exit Poet. 

Brutus. Lucilius ami Titinius, hid the commanders 
Prepare to lodge their companies to-night. 

Cassius. And come yourselves, and bring Messala with 
jou, 
Immediately to us. [Exeunt Lucilvus and Til in ins. 

Brutus. Lucius, a bowl of wine 

Cassius. I did not think y<»u could have been 30 angry. 

Brutus. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs! 

Cassius. Of your philosophy you make no use, 
If you give place to accidental evil-. 

Brutus. No man bears sorrow better. — Portia is dead. 

Cassius. II a ! Portia ? 

Brutus. She is dead. 



96 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Cassius. How scap'd I killing when I cross'd you so ? — 
O, insupportable and touching loss ! — 
Upon what sickness ? 

Brutus. Impatient of my absence, 

And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony 
Have made themselves so strong ; — for with her death 
That tidings came. — With this she fell distract, 
And, her attendants absent, swallow' d fire. 

Cassius. And died so % 

Brutus. Even so. 

Cassius. O ye immortal gods! 

Enter Lucius with wine and tapers. 

Brutus. Speak no more of her. — Give me a bowl of 
wine. — 

In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. [Drinks. 

Cassius. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. — 

Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup ; 160 

I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. [Drinks. 

Enter Titinius, with Messala. 

Brutus. Come in, Titinius. — Welcome, good Messala. — 
Now sit we close about this taper here, 
And call in question our necessities. 

Cassius. Portia, art thou gone ? 

Brutus. No more, I pray you. — 

Messala, I have here received letters, 
That young Octavius and Mark Antony 
Come down upon us with a mighty power, 
Bending their expedition toward Philippi. 

Messala. Myself have letters of the self-same tenour. 

Brutus. With what addition? 17 ° 



JULIUS CJSSAR 97 

Messala. That by proscription and bills of outlawry, 
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus 
Have put to death an hundred senators. 

Brutus. Therein our letters do not well agree ; 
Mine speaks of seventy senators that died 
By their proscriptions, Cicero *being one. 

Cassius. Cicero one? 

Messala. Cicero is dead, 

And by that order of proscription. — 
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord \ 

Brutus. No, Messala. ,s " 

Messala. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her \ 

Brutus. Nothing, Messala. 

Messala. That, methinks, is strange. 

Brutus. Why ask you ? Hear you aught of her in yours 1 

Messala. No, my lord. 

Brutus. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. . 

Messala. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell ; 
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. 

Brutus. Why, farewell, Portia. — We must die, Messala. 
With meditating that she must die once, 
I have the patience to endure it now. 

Messala. Even so great men great losses should endure 

Cassius. I have as much of this in art as you, 
But yet my nature could not bear it so. 

Brutus. Well, to our work alive. What do you think 
Of marching to Philippi presently? 

Cassius. I do not think it good. 

Brutus. Your reason? 

Cassius. This it is: 

'T is better that the enemy seek ufl ; 

—7 



98 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

So shall lie waste his means, weary his soldiers, 

Doing himself offence, whilst we lying still 

Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness. 200 

Brutus. Good reasons must, of course, give place to 
better. 
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground 
Do stand but in a forc'd affection, 
For they have grudg'd us contribution. 
The enemy, marching along by them, 
By them shall make a fuller number up, 
Come on refresh'd, new-added, and encourag'd ; 
From which advantage shall we cut him off 
If at Philippi we do face him there, 
These people at our back. 

Cassius. Hear me, good brother. 210 

Brutus. Under your pardon. — You must note beside 
That we have tried the utmost of our friends. 
Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe : 
The enemy increaseth every day; 
We, at the height, are ready to decline. 
There is a tide in the affairs of men, 
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; 
Omitted, all the voyage of their life 
Is bound in shallows and in miseries. 
On such a full sea are we now afloat, 220 

And we must take the current when it serves, 
Or lose our ventures. 

Cassius. Then, with your will, go on ; 

We J ll along ourselves and meet them at Philippi. 

Brutus. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, 
And nature must obey necessity, 



JULIUS (LESA1; 99 

Which we will niggard with a little rest. 
There is no more to say ? 

Cassius. No more. Good night! 

Early to-morrow will we rise and hence. 

Brutus. Lucius, my gown. — [Exit Lucius.] Farewell, 
good Messala ! — 
Good night, Titinius ! — Noble, noble Cassius, 
Good night, and good repose ! 

Cassius. my dear brother, 

This was an ill beginning of the night ; 
Never come such division 'tween our souls ! 
Let it not, Brutus. 

Enter Lucius, with the gown. 

Brutus. Every thing is well. 

Cassius. Good night, my lord ! 

Brutus. Good night, good brother ! 

Titinius, Messala. Good night, lord Brutus ! 

Brutus. Farewell, every one. — 

[Exeunt Cassius, Titinius, and Messala. 
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument? 

Lucius. Here, in the tent. 

Brutus. What ! thou speak'st drowsily ? 

Poor knave, I blame thee not; thou art o'erwatch'd. 
Call Claudius and some other of my men ; 
I '11 have them sleep on cushions in my tent. 

Lucius. Varro and Claudius ! 

Enter Varro and Claudius. 

Varro. Calls my lord? 

Brutus. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep; 



100 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

It may be I shall raise you by and by 
On business to my brother Cassius. 

Varro. So please you, we will stand and watch your 

pleasure. 
Brutus. I will not have it so: lie down, good sirs; 
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. — 
Look, Lucius, here 's the book I sought for so ; 
I put it in the pocket of my gown. [Servants lie down. 
Lucius. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. 
Brutus. Bear with me, good boy; I am much forgetful. 
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile, 
And touch thy instrument a strain or two ? 
Lucius. Ay, my lord, an 't please you. 
Brutus. It does, my boy ; 

I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. 
Lucius. It is my duty, sir. 

Brutus. I should not urge thy duty past thy might ; 
I know young bloods look for a time of rest. 
Lucius. I have slept, my lord, already. 
Brutus. It was well done, and thou shalt sleep again ; 
I will not hold thee long: if I do live, 
I will be good to thee. — [Music and a song. 

This is a sleepy tune. — O murtherous slumber, 
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, 
That plays thee music! — Gentle knave, good night; 
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee. 
If thou dost nod, thou break'st thy instrument: 
I '11 take it from thee ; and, good boy, good night. — 
Let me see, let me see, — is not the leaf turn'd down 
Where I left reading ? Here it is, I think. [He sits down. 



JULIUS C/ESAR 101 

Enter the Ghost of Caesar. 
How ill this taper burns ! — Ha ! who comes here \ 
I think it is the weakness of my eyes 
That shapes this monstrous apparition. 
It conies upon me. — Art thou any thing? 
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil, 
Thai mak'st my blood cold and my hair bo stare? 
Speak to me what thou art. 

Ghost. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. 

Brutus. Why com'st thou \ ~ s " 

Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. 

Brutus. Well ; then I shall see thee again \ 

Ghost. Ay, at Philippi. 

\_Ghost vanishes. 

Brutus. Why, I will see thee at Philippi then. — 
A T ow I have taken heart, thou vanishest. 
Ill spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. — 
Boy! Lucius! — Varro! Claudius! Sirs, awake! — 
Claudius ! 

Lucius. The strings, my lord, are false. 

Brutus. He thinks- he still is at his instrument. — 
Lucius, awake ! 

Lucius. My lord ! 

Brutus. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou s«» criedst 
out? 

Lucius. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. 

Brutus. Yes, that thou didst. Didst thou see any thing i 

Lucius. Nothing, my lord. 

Brutus. Sleep again, Lucius. — Sirrah, Claudius! 
Fellow thou ! awake ! 

Varro. My lord ! 



102 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Claudius. My lord ! 

Brutus. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep ? 300 

Varro, Claudius. Did we, my lord? 

Brutus. Ay ; saw you any thing '( 

Varro. No, my lord, 1 saw nothing. 

Claudius. Nor I, my lord. 

Bruins. Go, and commend me to my brother Cassius; 
Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 
And we will follow. 

Varro, Claudius. It shall be done, my lord. [Exeunt. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. The Plains of Philippi. 
Enter Octavius, Antony, and tlieir Army. 

Octavius. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered. 
You said the enemy would not come down, 
But keep the hills and upper regions. 
It proves not so: their battles are at hand; 
They mean to warn us at Philippi here, 
Answering before we do demand of them. 

Antony. Tut ! I am in their bosoms, and I know 
Wherefore they do it: they could be content 
To visit other places, and come down 
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face 
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage ; 
But 't is not so. 

Enter sl Messenger. 

Messenger. Prepare you, generals : 

The enemy comes on in gallant show ; 

Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, 

And something to be done immediately. 

Antony. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, 

Upon the left hand of the even field. 

Octavius. Upon the right hand I; keep thou the left 
Antony. Why do you cross rue in this exigent \ 
Octavius. I do not cross you; but I will do so. [March. 

(108) 



104 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Drum. Enter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army; Lu- 
cilius, Titinius, Messala, and others. 

Brutus. They stand and would have parley. 

Cassius. Stand fast, Titinius ; Ave must out and talk. 

Octavius. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle ? 

Antony. No, Caesar, we will answer on their charge. 
Make forth; the generals would have some words. 

Octavius. Stir not until the signal. 

Brutus. Words before blows ; is it so, countrymen ? 

Octavius. Not that we love words better, as you do. 

Brutus. Good words are better than bad strokes, 
Octavius. 

Antony. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good 
words. 30 

Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart, 
Crying, ' Long live ! Hail, Caesar ! ' 

Cassius. Antony, 

The posture of your blows are yet unknown ; 
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, 
And leave them honeyless. 

Antony. Not stingless too. 

Brutus. O, yes, and soundless too ; 
For you have stolen their buzzing, Antony, 
And very wisely threat before you sting. 

Antony. Villains, you did not so when your vile daggers 
Hack'd one another in the sides of Caesar: 40 

You show'd your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like hounds, 
And bow'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar's feet, 
Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind, 
Struck Caesar on the neck. O, you flatterers ! 

Cassius. Flatterers ! — Now, Brutus, thank yourself ; 



JULIUS CLESAR 105 

This tongue had not offended so to-day, 
If Cassius might have rul'd. 

Octavius. Come, come, the cause; if arguing make us 
sweat, 
The proof of il will I urn to redder drops. 
Look, I draw ;i sword against conspirators; 
When think you that the sword goes up again '( 
Never, till Caesar's three and thirty wounds 
Be well aveng'd, or till another Caesar 
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. 1 

Brutus. Caesar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, 
Unless thou bring'st them with thee. 

Octavius. So I hope ; 

I was not born to die on Brutus' sword. 

Brutus. O, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain, 
Young man, thou couldst not die more honourable. 

Cassius. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honour, 
Join'd with a masker and a reveller. 

Antony. Old Cassius still ! 

Octavius. Come, Antony; away! — 

Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth. 
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field ; 
If not, when you have stomachs. 

[Exeunt Octavius, Antony, mid their Ann;/. 

Cassius. Why now, blow wind, swell billow, and swim 
bark! 
The storm is up, and all is on the hazard. 

Brutus. Ho, Lucilius ! hark, a word with you. 

Lucilius. My lord ! [Brutus and Lucilius talk apart. 

Cassius. Messala ! 

Messala. What says my general? 



so 



106 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Cassius. Messala, 

This is my birthday; as this very day 70 

Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala ; 
Be thou my witness that against my will, 
As Pompey was, am I compell'd to set 
Upon one battle all our liberties. 
You know that I held Epicurus strong, 
And his opinion ; now I change my mind, 
And partly credit things that do presage. 
Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign 
Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch'd, 
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands, 
Who to Philippi here consorted us : 
This morning are they fled away and gone, 
And in their steads do ravens, crows, and kites 
Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, 
As we were sickly prey ; their shadows seem 
A canopy most fatal, under which 
Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. 

Messala. Believe not so. 

Cassius. I but believe it partly, 

For I am fresh of spirit and resolv'd 
To meet all perils very constantly. 

Brutus. Even so, Lucilius. 

Cassius. Now, most noble Brutus, 

The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may, 
Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age ! 
But since the affairs of men rest still incertain. 
Let 's reason with the worst that may befall. 
If we do lose this battle, then is this 



no 



JULIUS C^SAR 1( )7 

The very last time we shall speak together; 
What are you then determined to do ? 

Brutus. Even by the rule of that philosophy 
By which I did blame Cato for the death lou 

Which he did give himself. I know not how, 
But I do find it cowardly and vile, 
For fear what might fall, so to prevent 
The time of life, — arming myself with patience 
To stay the providence of some high powers 
That govern us below. 

Cassius. Then, if we lose this battle, 

You are contented to be led in triumph 
Thorough the streets of Rome? 

Brutus. No, Cassius, no! think not, thou noble Roman, 
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome; 
lie bears too great a mind. But this same day 
Must end that work the ides of March begun : 
And whether we shall meet again I know not. 
Therefore our everlasting farewell take; 
For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius ! 
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; 
If not, why, then this parting was well made. 

Cassius. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus! 
If we do meet again, we '11 smile indeed ; 
If not, 't is true, this parting was well made. 

Brutus. Why, then lead on. — O that a man might know 
The end of this day's business ere it come ! 
But it sufficeth that the day will end, 
And then the end is known. — Come, ho ! away ! [Exeunl. 



108 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Scene II. The Field of Battle. 
Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala. 
Brutus. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills 
Unto the legions on the other side. [Loud alarum. 

Let them set on at once; for I perceive 
But cold demeanor in Oetavius' wing, 
And sudden push gives them the overthrow. 
Ride, ride, Messala; lei them al] come down. [Exeunt, 

Scene III. Another Pari of the Field. 
Alarums. Enter Cass'ius and Titinius. 

Cassius. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly ! 
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy. 
This ensign of myself was turning back ; 
I slew the coward, and did take it from him. 

Titinius. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early, 
Who-j having some advantage on Oetavius, 
Took it too eagerly; his soldiers fell to spoil, 
Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd. 

Enter Pindarus. 

Pindarus. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off ! 
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord ! 10 

Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off ! 

Cassius. This hill is far enough. — Look, look, Titinius; 
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire? 

Titinius. They are, my lord. 

Cassius. Titinius, if thou lov'st me, 

Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him, 
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops 
And here again, that I may rest assured 
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. 



JULIUS C/ESAR 109 

Titinius. I will be here again even with a thought. 

[Exit. 

Cassius. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill ; 
My sight was ever thick; regard Titinius, 
And tell me what thou not'st about the field. — 

[Pindarus goes up. 
This day I breathed first: time is come round, 
And where I did begin, there shall I end; 
My life is run his compass. — Sirrah, what news \ 

Pindarus. \_ Above'] O my lord! 

Cassius. What news ? 

Pindarus. Titinius is enclosed round about 
With horsemen that make to him on the spur ; — 
Yet he spurs on. — Now they are almost on him. 
Now, Titinius ! — 
Now some light. — O, he lights, too. — He 's ta'en; — and, 

hark! 
They shout for joy. [Shout. 

Cassius. Come down, behold no more. — 

O, coward that I am to live so long, 
To see my best friend ta'en before my face ! — 

Pindarus comes down. 

Come hither, sirrah ! 

In Parthia did I take thee prisoner; 

And then I swore thee, saving of thy life, 

That whatsoever I did bid thee do, 

Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath ! 4 " 

Now be a freeman; and with this good sword, 

That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. 

Stand not to answer: here, take thou the hilts; 



HO TWENTIETH CENTUEY CLASSICS 

And when my face is covered, as 't is now, 
Guide thou the sword. — Caesar, thou art reveng'd, 
Even with the sword that kill'd thee. \_Dies. 

Pindarus. So, I am free ; yet would not so have been, 
Durst I have done my will. — O Cassius ! 
Ear from this country Pindarus shall run, 
Where never Roman shall take note of him. [Exit. 

Enter Titinius, with Messala. 

Messala. It is but change, Titinius ; for Octavius 
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power, 
As Cassius' legions are by Antony. 

Titinius. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. 

Messala. Where did you leave him? 

Titinius. All disconsolate, 

With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. 

Messala. Is not that he that lies upon the ground ? 

Titinius. He lies not like the living. O, my heart ! 

Messala. Is not that he ? 

Titinius. No, this was he, Messala, 

But Cassius is no more. — O setting sun ! 
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night, 
So in his red blood Cassius' day is set; 
The sun of Rome is set ! Our day is gone ; 
Clouds, dews, and dangers come ; our deeds are done ! 
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 

Messala. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. 
O hateful Error, Melancholy's child ! 
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men 
The things that are not? O Error, soon conceiv'd, 
Thou never com'st unto a happy birth, 
But kill'st the mother that engender' d thee. 



60 



70 



JULIUS C^SAK 



111 



Titinius. What, Pindarus ! Where art thou, Pindarus \ 
Messala. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet 

The noble Brutus, thrusting this report 

Into his ears ; — I may saj, thrusting it, 

For piercing steel and darts envenomed 

Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus 

As tidings of this sight. 

Titinius. Hie you, Messala. 

And I will seek for Pindarus the while. [Exit Messala. 

Whv didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius ? 

Did I not meet thy friends ? and did not they 

Put on my brows this wreath of victory, 

And bid me give it thee \ Didst thou not hear their shouts \ 

Alas ! thou hast misconstrued every thing. 

But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow ; 

Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I 

Will do his bidding. — Brutus, come apace, 

And see how I regarded Caius Cassius. — 

By your leave, gods : — this is a Roman's part ; 

Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. [Dies. 

Alarum. Enter Messala, with Brutus, young Cato, 
Steato, Volumnius, and Lucilius. 

Brutus. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie '. 

Messala. Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. 

Brutus. Titinius' face is upward. 

Cato. He is slain. 

Brutus. O Julius Csesar, thou art mighty yet! 
Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords 
In our own proper entrails. [Low alarums. 

Cato. Brave Titinius! 

Look, whether h© have not crown'd dead Cassius ! 



112 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Brutus. Are yet two Romans living such as these ? — 
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well ! 
It is impossible that ever Rome 10 ° 

Should breed thy fellow. — Friends, I owe moe tears 
To this dead man than you shall see me pay. — 
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time. — 
Come, therefore, and to Thassos send his body ; 
His funerals shall not be in our camp, 
Lest it discomfort us. — Lucilius, come; — 
And come, young Cato ; let us to the field. — 
Labeo and Flavius, set our battles on. — 
'T is three o'clock; and, Romans, yet ere night 
We shall try fortune in a second fight. [Exeunt. 

Scene IV. Another Part of the Field. 

Alarum. Enter, fighting, Soldiers of both Armies; then 
Brutus, Cato, Lucilius, and others. 

Brutus. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your heads ! 

Cato. What bastard doth not ? Who will go with me ? 
I will proclaim my name about the field. — 
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho ! 
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; 
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho! [Charges the enemy. 

Brutus. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I ; 
Brutus, my country's friend ; know me for Brutus ! 

[Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered, 
and falls. 

Lucilius. O young and noble Cato, art thou down ? 
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius, 10 

And mayst be honour'd, being Cato's son. 



JULIUS GVESAK U3 

1 Soldier. Yield, or thou diest. 

Lucilius. Only I yield to die : 

There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight; 

[Offering money. 
Kill Brutus, and be honour' d in his death. 

1 Soldier. We must not. — A noble prisoner ! 

2 Soldier. Koom, ho ! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. 

1 Soldier. I '11 tell the news. — Here comes the gen- 
eral. — 

Enter Antony. 

Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. 

. 1 ntony. Where is he ? 

Lucilius. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough. 
I dare assure thee that no enemy 
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus; 
The gods defend him from so great a shame ! 
When you do find him, or alive or dead, 
He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 

Antony. This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assure you, 
A prize no less in worth. Keep this man safe, 
Give him all kindness ; I had rather have 
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, 
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead, 
Ami bring us word unto Octavius' tent 
How every thing is chanc'd. [Exeunt. 

Scene V. Another Part of the Field. 
Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and 

VOLUMNIUS. 

Brutus. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this 
rock. 



114 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Clitus. Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord, 
He came not back ; he is or ta'en or slain. 

Brutus. Sit thee down, Clitus, Slaving is the word ; 
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. [Whispering, 

Clitus. What ! I, my lord ? No, not for all the world. 

Brutus. Peace then ! No words. 

Clitus. I '11 rather kill myself. 

Brutus. Hark thee, Dardanius ■ ! [Whispers him. 

Rardanius. Shall I do such a deed ? 

Clitus. O Dardanius ! 

Dardanius. O Clitus ! 10 

Clitus. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? 

Dardanius. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. 

Clitus. Now is that noble vessel full of grief, 
That it runs over even at his eyes. 

Brutus. Come hither, good Volumnius ; list a word. 

Volumnius. What says my lord ? 

Brutus. Why, this, Volumnius: 

The ghost of Caesar hath appear'd to me 
Two several times by night ; at Sardis once, 
And this last night here in Philippi fields. 
I know my hour is come. 

Volumnius. Not so, my lord. 2t) 

Brutus. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. 
Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes ; 
Our enemies have beat us to the pit: [Low alarums. 

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves 
Than tarry till they push on. Good Volumnius, 
Thou know'st that we two went to school together; 
Even for that our love of old, I prithee, 
Hold thou my sword-hilts whilst I run on it. 



JULIUS (\KS.\i; H5 

Volumnius. That's not an office for a friend, my lord. 

| . 1 hi rum still. 

Clitus. Fly, fly, my lord! there is no tarrying here. :t '' 
Brutus. Farewell to you; — and yon; — and you, Vo- 
lumnins. — 

Strato, thou hast boon all this while asleep; 

Farewell to thee too, Strato. — Countrymen, 

My heart doth joy that yet in all my life 

I found no man but he was true to me. 

I shall have glory by this losing day, 

More than Octavius and Mark Antony 

By this vile conquest shall attain unto. 

So, fare you well at once; for Brutus' tongue 

Hath almost ended his life's history. ,0 

Night hangs upon my eyes; my bones would rest, 

That have but labored to attain this hour. 

[Alai'um. Cry within, 'Fly, fly, fly!' 

Clitus. Fly, my lord, fly ! 

Brutus. Hence; T will follow. — 

[Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius. 
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord. 
Thou art a fellow of a good respect ; 
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it: 
Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face 
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato? 

Strato. Give me your hand first; fare you well, my lord. 

Bi-utus. Farewell, good Strato. — Caesar, now be -till: ' 
I kill'd not thee with half so good a will. 

| lie runs <>n his sword, mill dies. 



116 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

Alarum. Retreat. Enter Octavius, Antony, Messala, 
Luctliu's, and the Army. 

Octavius. What man is that ? 

Messala. My master's man. — Strato, where is thy mas- 
ter % 

Strato. Tree from the bondage yon are in, Messala : 
The conquerors can bnt make a fire of him ; 
For Brntns only overcame himself, 
And no man else hath honour by his death. 

Lucilius. So Brutus should be found. — I thank fchee, 
Brutus, 
That thou hast prov'd Lucilius' saying true. 

Octavius. All that serv'd Brutus, I will entertain them. 
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me ? 

Strato. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you. 

Octavius. Do so, good Messala. 

Messala. How died my master, Strato? 

Strato. I held the sword, and he did run on it. 

Messala. Octavius, then take him to follow thee, 
That did the latest service to my master. 

Antony. This was the noblest Roman of them all. 
All the conspirators, save only he, 
Did that they did in envy of great Otesar; 
lie only, in a general honest thought 
And common good to all, made one of them. 
His life was gentle, and the elements 
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 
And say to all the world, 'This was a man !' 

Octavius. According to his virtue let us use him, 
With all respect and rites of burial. 



7 



JULIUS (LESAR 117 

Within mv tent his bones to-night shall lie, 

Most like a soldier, ordered honourably. — 

So, call the field to rest, and let 's away 

To part the glories of this happy day. [Exewtl. 



NOTES TO JULIUS CAESAR 



A constant use of the dictionary in the study of this play will 
accomplish a two-fold purpose: First, it will prevent the necessity 
of filling a text-book with unnecessaiw notes of explanation; and 
secondly, it will lead to a habit on the part of the student of acquir- 
ing knowledge from reliable sources. 

In the study of the play there are two extreme methods. One is 
in altogether ignoring the construction for the sake of following the 
"story" of the play; the other is in an exhaustive study of construc- 
tion. The wise teacher will not be ruled entirely «by either method. 

M. H. McC. 



:i2D 



ABBREVIATIONS USED. 

Adjective Adj. 

Adverb Adv. 

Dictionary Diet. 

Figure Fig. 

Grammar Gram. 

Macbeth Mac. 

Obsolete Obs. 

Rhetorical Rhet. 

Shakespeare Shah. 



(122) 



NOTES. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. — 3. Being mechanical. Being mechanics. The use of 

mechanical as a noun is obsolete. 

4. A laboring day. Laboring is here a verbal noun used adjeel 
ively. 

12. Answer me directly. Without ambiguity. 

14-20. Mender of bad soles; if you be out; all I ha I I live by is 
with the awl; withal I am indeed. Note the cobbler's puns in every 
sentence. A little touch of humor by which Shak. lightened tragedy. 

45. That Tiber trembled. Omission of so before that. 

46. Replication. Reply to. Note etymology of the word. 
(31. Metal. Or mettle. 

65. Decked with ceremonies. In this ease, "scarfs" hung on 
Caesar's images. See I., 2, 275. 

67. Lupercal. In honor of Lupercus, the Roman god of fertility. 
a feast was celebrated in Rome in the month of February each year. 
Among the other ceremonies of the day, the Luperci or priests of 
Lupercus ran naked through the streets striking the people with 
leather thongs. This was to symbolize the purification of the people 
and the land. 

73. Pitch. A term used in falconry. 

Scene II. — 3. In honor of Cassar a third body or college of 
Luperci had been added to the two original ones. Antony was at 
the head of the third, hence his part in the ceremony on this occasion. 

11. Set on. Go on. 

15. Press. Crowd. 

17. Ides of March. In the Roman calendar the Ides were on the 
loth day of March, May, July, and October, and on the 13th of the 
other months. 

23. Sennet. A signal-call on a trumpet for exit or entrance on 
the stage. 

(123) 



124 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

27. Quick. Sprightly. 

36. Merely. Absolutely. 

37. Passions of some difference. Conflicting ideas arid opinions. 
47. Cogitations. Contemplations. 

55. Best respect. Greatest respectability. 

67. Jealous on me. Suspicious of me. 

68. A common laugher. More properly, a common lover. 

69. To stale. That is, to make common. 
73. Profess. Obsolete use. (See Diet.) 

82. Set honour in one eye, etc. Evidently Brutus set honor above 
life, and valued it none too dearly bought at the price of his life. 
84. Speed. Prosper. 
87. Your outward favor. Your personal appearance. 

105. Hearts of controversy. Spirits that warred against the anger 
of the stream. 

106. Arrive. The transitive use of the verb is now obsolete. 
118. Coward lips. Metaphor; as, a soldier flying from his colors. 
120. His lustre. Its lustre. 

125. Feeble temper. Temperament. 

148. Great flood. Deucalion flood. 

152. Rome-room. The assumption is that the former pronuncia- 
tion of "Rome" was "Room." 

155. There was a Brutus once. Lucius Junius Brutus, who ex- 
pelled Tarquin the Proud from Rome in an early day. 

159. / have some aim. Some conjecture. 

167. Chew upon this. Ruminate. 

182. Such ferret and such fiery eyes. The ferret's eyes are red. 

188. Let me have men, etc. Cassius was jealous of Caesar, and 
by this and the succeeding speech of Csesar he evidently feared 
Cassius. In the second speech a very fine characterization is pre- 
sented. 

190. Yond. Yonder. (Obs.) 

193. Well given. Well disposed. 

200. He hears no music. Compare M. of V. — V., 1, 83: "The man 
that hath no music," etc. 

209. Come on my right hand. A touch of naturalness, common 
in the writing of Shak. 

224. Marry. Obsolete. (See Diet.) 

233. Coronets. A laurel wreath. The incident of offering the 



NOTES 125 

crown was an unfortunate one. It served to hasten on the work of 
the conspiracy against Caesar. 

248. No, Caesar hath it not, etc. Note how quickly Cassiua took 
hold of every means to enforce his purpose. 

253. No true man. Honest num. 

257. Ope his doublet. Doublets were worn in Shakspeare's, not 
Caesar's, time. 

258. A man of any occupation. A mechanic, or a busy man; 
possibly both. Casca was a patrician, therefore he had no "occupa- 
tion." 

259. At a word. At his word. 

273. .1// Gfreek. Casca did not speak Greek. Henee his joke. 

28G. Quick- met tic Sharp, keen metal as contrasted with present 
bluntness. 

300. Front that il is disposed. From that to which il i- disposed. 

303. Doth bear me hard. Bears a grudge. See II.. 1. 2}5: "Caius 
Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard."' 

300. In several hands, f. e., handwritings. 

Scene III. — 3. Sway of earth. "The balanced swing of earth.' 
(Craik.) 

4. Unfirm. Shak. uses unlirm for infirm. 

23. Upon a heap. Crowded together. 

26. Bird of night. Compare Macbeth — II., 3, 40. 

3)0. These arc (he reasons. Such and such. See II.. 1. 31: "Would 
run to these and these extremities." 

32. Climate. Clime. 

35. Clean from the purpose. Entirely away from. 

42. What night. What a night. 

49. Thunder-stone. Thunderbolt, formerly believed to lie a stone. 

64. Quality ami kind. Change from their own kind. 

65. Old men fool, etc. Old men lose wisdom and children |>o->-c--> 
unnatural judgment. 

71. Unto some monstrous state. Condition. 

70. Prodigious grown. Portentous. (Obs.) 

94. Can be retentive. Can retain. 

113. My ansiver must be made. I shall be called to answer tor it. 

1 15. Fleering, dinning, leering. 

Hold my hand. Take my hand. Hold, used as an inter- 
jection. 



126 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

117. Be factious. This has several interpretations. Perhaps the 
most satisfactory is the present common use of factious. (See Diet.) 

122. Undergo. Undertake. 

123. Honorable-dangerous. Note the full meaning of this well- 
chosen adj. 

125. In Pompey's porch. A building connected with Pompey's 
Theater, in the Campus Martius. 

134. One incorporate to our attempt. One made a part of or 
included in our attempt. 

151. Pompey's Theater. This building was large enough to ac- 
commodate forty thousand persons. It was first opened by Pompey 
in 55 B. C. He and Julius Caesar both sought by games and other 
amusements to divert the minds of the people from too close a 
scrutiny of political movements. 

161. Conceited. Conceived. 

ACT II. 

Scene I. Brutus' Orchard means rather gardens, or private 
grounds. 

12. But for the general. I. e., general cause. 

15. Crown him? — that. Concede that to be done. 

19. Remorse. Mercy. 

21. Common proof. A common result or experience. 

24. Upmost round. Top round, farthest round. 

29. Will bear no colour. Cannot be justified by any fault in 
Ccesar. 

30. Fashion it thus. Fashion it as follows: that ivhat he is, etc. 
40. Ides of March. Nearly a month after the Lupercalia, which 

occurred in February. 

53. My ancestors, etc. The allusion of Cassius to the elder Brutus 
in the preceding act took hold on Brutus' mind. 

G6. The genitis and the mortal instruments. Genius, the spiritual, 
rational part of man. Mortal instruments, the bodily powers of man 
by which the genius may be manifested. 

70. Your brother Cassius. Cassius was a brother-in-law. 

72. Moe. More. 

73. Hats. Roman's wore no hats. Such anachronisms are not un- 
common in Shak.'s writings. 

7(i. By any mark of favor. See I., 2, 87. 



NOTES 127 

78. Shamest High. Art thou ashamed? 

83. 7'af//. (See Diet.) 

So. Prevention. Hindrance. (Obs. ) 

104. Fret. Study etymology, and note fineness of the rhet. fig. 

108. Weighing. Considering. 

112. All over. All included. 

114. Face. Appearance. 

119. By lottery. As determined b}' chance. 

125. Secret Romans. Romans bound to secrecy. 

129. Cautelous. (See Diet.) 

130. Carrions. (See Diet.) 
135. To think. By thinking. 

138. .1 seperal bastard//. Baseness. Lacking in genuineness. 

150. Break with him. Break the matter to him. 

100. Annoy. See I., 3, 22. 

104. Envy. Malice. (Obs.) 

187. Tale thought. Of himself alone. 

192. Count the clock. Another anachronism. 

190. Main. Strong, unqualified. 

215. Doth bear Caesar hard. See I.. 2, 303. 

218. Go atony by him. By his house. 

224. Fresh and merrily. An instance of gram, irregularity in the 
use of adj. and adv. 

227. Formal constancy. Dignified bearing. See Mac. 1., 4, 12: 
"There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face." Also 
George Eliot's Romola, Chap. IV: "A perfect traitor should have 
a face that vice can write no marks on — lips that will lie with a 
dimpled smile — eyes of such agate-like brightness and depth that no 
infamy can dull them — cheeks that will rise from ;i murder and not 
look haggard." 

231. No figures and no fantasies. Compare Mac. II.. 2. 23: 
"After life's fitful fever/' etc. 

However much of "formal constancy" Brutus bore when abroad 
in Rome, at his home the burden of his undertaking weighed heavily 
upon him, and revealed itself in resiles sleeplessness, and moodiness, 
and impatience. 

251. His hour. Its hour. 

254. Prevailed on your condition. Your mental stale. 

261. Is it physical? (Obsolete use of physical.) 

283. In sort or limitation. Only to a limited degree. 



128 TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 

307. All my engagements. All the pledges I have entered into. 
315. To wear a kerchief. A covering for the head of the sick in 
the time of Shak., not Caesar. 

323. An exorcist. According to Shak., one who raises a spirit al- 
ways; whereas its real meaning is one who drives it away. 

324. Mortified. Dead, or deadened. 

Scene II. — 5. Present. Immediate. 
13. Ceremonies. Auguries. See II., 1, 197. 

25. Beyond all use. Beyond all that which is customary or 
natural. 

58. All hail. A term used in saluting kings. 

67. Greybeards. A term of contempt. 

72. Enough to satisfy. Enough for me to do in order to satisfy. 

70. To-night. Last night. 

89. Cognizance. A badge. A term of heraldry. 

9(5-7. A mock . . rendered. A taunt made in reply. 

103. Love to your proceeding. Interest in your career. 

104. Liable. Subject. 

128. That every like, etc. "That to be like the thing is not always 
to be the thing." (Craik.) 

Scene III. — G. Security. Confidence, or over-confidence. 
7. Lover. Friend. 
12. Teeth of emulation. Envy's attacks. 

Scene IV. — 0. Constancy. Firmness. 
9. To keep counsel. To keep a secret. 
18. Rumour. Murmur of noises. 
20. Sooth. In truth. 
37. Void. Open. 

ACT III. 

Scene I. — 25. Change. Change color. 

29. Addressed. Ready. 

36. Couchings. Obs. use. 

39. Law of children. Changeable whims of children. 
Be not fond. Not so foolish. 

47. Caesar doth not wrong, etc. Publius Cimber was banished 
by decree. There must be cause to set aside that decree before 
Coesar will recall it. 

60. / am constant. Compare I., 2, 208: "Always / am Caesar." 



NOTES 129 

07. Apprehensive. Endowed with the power of apprehension, with 
reason. 

77. El tu, Brute. An expression not to be found in any Latin 
author. It is found in one or two other plays written in Shake- 
speare's time. 

95. Abide this deed. Answer for it. 

112. How many ages hence, etc. A true prophecy; for men have 
made the same mistake that Cassius made, ever since his time. 

115. In sport. In dramatic presentation. 

122. Most boldest. Double superlatives are frequent in Shak. 
(See III., 2, 181.) 

132. Be resolved. Be satisfied, have his doubts removed. 

146. My misgiving still, etc. My suspicions constantly arc justi- 
fied in the end. 

153. Let blood. Let to bleed. 

Rank. Sick from over-richness of blood. 

160. Live a thousand years. Should I live. 

161. Apt to die. Ready to die. 

175. In strength of malice. A much-disputed passage. "Strong 
as if nerved by malice/' is perhaps as satisfactory as any of the 
renderings. Note that Brutus offers friendship, while Cassius offers 
spoils. 

182. Deliver. Declare. 

193. Conceit. See I., 3, 161. 

197. Dearer. More intensely. 

207. Crimsoned in thy lethe. Evidently life-blood is compared to 
Lethe, the River of Forgetfulness. It is not a strongly put figure. 

214. Modesty. Moderation. 

216. Compact. Accent on second syllable. 

217. Pricked. Marked. (See IV., 1, 1, 3, 16.) 
229. Produce. Bear forth. 

274. Cry 'Havoc.' The war-cry for indiscriminate slaughter. 

Dogs of war. Famine, sword, and fire. 
290. No Rome for safety. Refer to L, 2, 152. 
Scene II. — 13. Lovers. Friends. (See II., 3, 7.) 
15. Censure. Judge. 

35. Question of his death. A statement of the reasons for putt in- 
him to death. 

37. Enforced. Exaggerated. Opposed to extenuate!. 

55. Do grace. Show respect. 

—9 



130 TWENTIETH CENTUEY CLASSICS 

63. Beholding. Beholden. 

73. The evil that men do, etc. See Henry VIII. — IV., 2, 45: 
"Men's evil manners live in brass." 

89. When that. "That" is redundant. 

101. To mourn. From mourning. 

112. Abide it. (See III., 1, 95.) 

118. None so poor, etc. No one, however humble, need show any 
respect to Caesar. 

131. Napkins. Obs. use. (See prophecy of Decius Brutus, II., 
2, 89.) 

171. The Nervii. The fiercest of the Belgic tribes. Conquest 
over them was one of Caesar's greatest victories in his Gallic cam- 
paigns. 

173. Envious Casca. Malicious Casca. 

177. Be resolved. See III., 1, 132. 

179. Caesar's angel. Best-loved friend. His "good angel" whom 
he trusted. 

192. Dint of pity. Impress of pity. 

195. With traitors. See III., 1, 269. 

211. Private griefs. Personal grievances. 

241. Every several man. Separate man. 

Seventy-five drachmas. "The purchasing power of money 
was much greater then than now." 

248. On this side Tiber. Caesar's gardens were beyond or on the 
right bank of the Tiber, on the Janiculum Hill. 

265. Upon a ivish. Upon my wish; or, just as I was wishing for 
him. 

269. Belike. Probably. 

Scene III.— 9. Directly. See I., 1, 12. 
12. You icere best. It were best for you. 
18. Bear me a bang. That is, a blow. 
34. Turn him going. Send him along. 

ACT IV. 

Scene I.— 1. Prick'd. (See III., 1, 217.) 
34. In some taste. In some measure. 
41. Listen. Listen to, or hear. 
47. Answered. Met, or faced. 



NOTES 13! 

Scene II. — 5. To do you salutation. To give, or to brin<*. 
23. Hollow. Empty; not reliable. 

26. Fall their crests. Shak. uses fall as a trans, verb in a few 
instances in his writings. 

41. Be content. Contain or restrain yourself. 
40. Enlarge. Set forth fully. 

Scene III. — 2. Xoted. Branded with disgrace. 
S. Every nice offence. Every petty offence. 

10. Condemned to have. For having. 

32. To make conditions. "To arrange terms on which officers 
should confer."' (Craik.) 

37. Slight man. Insignificant and incapable. 

75. Any indirection. By indirect or dishonest ways. 

94. Aweary of the world. See Mac. V., 5, 49: "I gin to be 
aweary of the sun.'' 

108. Dishonour shall be humour. Any indignity shall be re- 
garded as mere caprice. 

135. These jigging fools. These rhyming fools. 

220. Xiggard. Used as a verb. 

200. Young bloods. See L, 2, 147. 

278. Stare. Stand up. 

ACT V. 

Scene III. — 43. The hilts. Shak. uses hilts for hilt, five times. 
05. Mistrust of my success. See II., 2, 0. 

Scene IV. — 2. What bastard doth not. See II., 1, 138. 

Scene V. — 81. Part the glories. Share or divide them. 



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